Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The first of the season is up today (third day of 70 weather), and since we're supposed to get some rain today or tomorrow, I'm expecting more to pop up.

We're starting to get activity a few hundred miles South, Steph...two days of 80. Of course, the ornates just barrel out of the hibernaculum practically like nothing happened. The Easterns are all sitting just under the surface, taking deep breaths. Even my Wife is excited, which is weird. It's been a long, difficult winter and any the signs of summer are welcome at our house. They'll all go back down this weekend, due to the cold rain on the way. It won't be long, though.

I put my guy back under cover later in the afternoon: a front rolled in and the temperature dropped quite a bit. Daytime temps. may only be in the 40s today, so our little warm spell is over.

It won't be long, now, before they all pop up for the season.

South of you about (400 miles)they are coming up soaking and returning to the leaf-brush piles. So far three with mid ear infections so they came in and three still missing. Two are perfect but we decided on a vet day for everyone since we had problems with three so far. All are out door all the time but the three with the ear problems were all rescues this winter. They rode in the back of a construction truck for two days with lows in the 20's before they had called me. Now their pen size is the whole back yard 4800 square feet. Good luck to all ! ! ! !

Yesterday here in south jersey the weather was crazy. It was about 68 at 10 oclock and lots of water turtles were out sunning. By 3 it had dropped to 53 degrees and not a soul was out...a very odd day for the turtles.

Ain't it grand?

I just love it when they come back!
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PHRatz

and not to mention the slush hail storm the other day in south jersey

I gotta ask.... How do you know if a turtle has an ear infection? (sounds like the start of a bad joke)

You'll typically see some swelling on the side of the turtles face/head. The swelling is barely noticeable at first, but can get worse pretty quickly.
Check this link (Warning: Graphic Content) that shows a turtle before during and after surgery.
Link

Thanks for the link. It was very interesting. I have never encountered this before and was not aware.

StephF gets-knows alot about box turtles I always like to read His/Her answers to questions. Have learned as much for StephF as the books I have.

Thanks for the link also StephF glad they put the turtle out.

That is a very nice compliment!
Thank you!

Thanks for the link, I hadn't seen that one before.
Really good photo diary of the whole process.
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PHRatz