Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got home from observing a wild 2 legged adult male(I think) N.A. wood turtle, after photographing him I waited to make sure he got in the woods okay, while observing him I noticed him eating some poison ivy, is poison ivy part of their natural diet and can their bodies handle it? will that make him "poisonous" like some species of mushrooms or will it kill him?
Thanks!
I'll post pics later

wow! i would never advocate removing a woodie from the wild but many researchers report that those missing a leg don't get to breed and they don't live long in the wild.( see "the wood turtle a natural history", in HERP Bull of NY Herpetological Society 15 (1): 9-26 Harding and Bloomer 1979; and also Clemmys insculpta Predation-mutilation. in the Herpetological Rev 16: 30 by harding 1985)

i have asked jim harding about the "eating poisonous plants" thing and he doesn't think woodies ever eat anything they shouldn't. but i don't know about the safety of poison ivy. are you sure the turtle wasn't eating a slug or worm or some insect that ws ON the plant?

I didn't bring the animal home I placed him in the bushed so no one would grab him, I went back up there a little while ago and he was still there so I MIGHT go up and get him so a coon doesn't eat him for dinner, I know your all gonna say "Thats natures way" but there wouldn't be a large clearing there if it wasn't for man, if I do get him it'll only be for tonight I'll release him tomorrow AM before work,
as for the ivy I know there wasn't a bug he ate 3 leaves, maybe it's some form of defense?
Thanks

well i for one would not judge you for trying to help a two legged individual of this magnifiecnt threatened species found in an area degraded by human contruction. But mind the law and consider carefully how you would re-home him if you cannot keep him yourself. Everyone has to make their own ethical decisions and i think we should respect yours, whatever it may be. You might want to consider how public who want to be regarding your decision though.

sorry if my last post seemed a bit rude I was being rushed,
a few months ago in june I believe I found a female N.A. wood turtle which was believed to be gravid, I brought her home not knowing what kind she was nor the status of the animal the excitement of finding a turtle other than a painted and snapper sort of blurred everything, after finding out what she was then having some people who post here varify it I placed her close to where I found her and watched to make sure she was okay she was not placed with/near my captive 3-toeds so she should have been okay as far as diseases go, I found her 3 times after that and hopefully she was gravid and her offspring will servive,

The male I found today was in a mite/tick infested area, when I placed him in the bushes I had tons of them on my arms, I didn't see any on him but they're so small.. who knows

tomorrow I will contact our local biologist and tell him I found another N.A. wood turtle less than a quarter mile away from where the female was discovered,

if I were to bring him home for the night why would I have to keep him?
I know I could supply for him if it came to me keeping him but I think there are laws saying you need a permit, as far as I know you have to be atleast 21 to get a permit? if so I'm not quite there,

if I can get my camera to upload the pics I will post them!
Thanks!
Sorry This Post Is So Long!
Female Wood Turtle

well
i don't know what state you live in but in mot places if an animal is protected from being collected, then you cannot legally even pick it up. all i ma trying to say is that it might be a good idea to save this animal if there is a place it can be re homed.
You said it was found near an area of human habitation and that it is pretty seriously handicapped. I think if these two things are mentioned to whomever you contact , there is a chnace they will let you hold on to it until somebody can take it.
what state are you in?
maybe i can help.

I've never heard of a turtle eating poison ivy, that's really interesting. I have heard of them eating nettles, though, and that can't be very tastey.

As far as missing legs go, there was a poster here once who had a female turtle (I can't remember species) that successfully nested while having only two nubs for rear feet. It apparently took all night and into the morning, but her half legs were enough to dig in a softened area and lay eggs.

I myself have a male spotted turtle that is missing one leg. He mates just fine with the female, and chases her everywhere. If there were competition, perhaps he would have less luck, but if he has the female to himself, which a turtle could have in a situation in the wild, then I doubt it would stop him.

Are these rear legs or front legs it is missing?

I heard of one keeper with a one legged painted turtle that did just fine in captivity. It climbed onto it's sloped basking spot, ate, swam, and otherwise seemed pretty normal.

Anyway, I wouldn't discount a turtle for missing legs. Especially a wood turtle. Those are some tenacious and hardy suckers there.

Also, on the mites and ticks... once the turtle goes into the water for any length of time, they will be gone if they ever get onto it. Then the problem becomes leeches... poor guys can't win in the wild. They manage to survive, though.

sorry for taking so long.. I contacted the massachusetts fisheries and wildlife services and the guy there told me if I felt he was not doing well in the wild I should collect the turtle and let him know he'd find a home for it, but yesterday when I went to check on the turtle I didn't find him so, after almost a week in one spot he finally left, hopefully nothing will get him,

he was missing both front legs he only had stubs he was using his chin to steer, if I can get my digital cameras working I'll post pics