(or would it be pet wild turtle? lol)

We have a wild American Box Turtle on our property who is missing a back foot. The injury seems to be healing up ok (it's been about a month since we found her with the fresh injury), but she keeps reinjuring herself on the rocks by the creek making it take longer to heal. She also spends a lot of time soaking it in the creek (I guess the cold water feels good on it?). Though she has become very tame and even eats from our hands, I would rather she be kept out in the wild. I am getting concerned, though, that come winter she will not be able to dig a hole to hibernate. I have read on a couple turtle rescue websites about rescued turtles who could not be released because they were missing front or back legs. There are places here I can take her to (legally), but I really don't want to remove her from the wild unless she will come to harm otherwise. I usually leave things alone in nature, but I am afraid I have become quite attached to this turtle and have lost my objectivity. I am hoping she will be ok to leave alone where she is! I am including a picture of her below...isn't she a doll?!

[ Hide Replies ]

• Wild pet turtle - DraykoDog, Wed Jul 26 10:51:51 2006
• RE: Wild pet turtle - StephF, Wed Jul 26 11:22:55 2006
• RE: Wild pet turtle - DraykoDog, Wed Jul 26 11:45:15 2006
• RE: Wild pet turtle - jack, Wed Jul 26 21:20:26 2006
• RE: Wild pet turtle - DraykoDog, Fri Jul 28 11:15:54 2006