Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Had a wierd experience yesterday.

My daughter and I were running late, on the way to the orthodontist and just as we were about to exit one highway onto another one, we saw a 3 toed on the side of the highway.

As usual, I was driving too fast to stop, any attept to turn around would have taken 5-10 minutes and we were already running late.

After the appointment we decided to go back and see if the boxie was still there, we hadn't been sure on the first pass if it was alive or not, but it didn't appear to be injured.

When we got back to the area, we see an turtle, upside down and
not looking too good. I pull over get out and it is clearly dead due to the blood and damage I'm seeing. I nudged it right side up with my shoe and I see what looks like a broken egg, then I see an absolutely perfect egg in the exposed body cavity of the turtle.

I recall people talking about harvesting eggs from dead turtles and seeing that perfect egg, I couldn't not give it a chance to hatch, so I picked up the turtle, fortunately there was enough carapace and plastron that I could pick it up, and took it home.

When I get it home, I mix up some vermiculite in a small container, put the egg in the vermiculite, then use an exacto knife to dissect the insides to look for other eggs.

I found two more fully formed eggs along with numerous immature eggs.

While it was very sad, it was interesting to have a chance to study the inside of a box turtle.

I saw what I think was her stomach, it was somewhat translucent and it was clear that she had parasites, looked like pinworms.

Anyway, I have some photos, rather graphic, but if anyone wants me to post them, let me know.

I'd be interested to see the pics, glad you were able to save 3 of the eggs hopefully they're fertile.

I'll try to post pics later today. Eggs look ok, but haven't
"chalked up" yet. I've forgotten how long that takes.

One has a small dent, nothing unusual though.

I think you're a great person. Not only did you remember the turtle and look for her, but you rescued her eggs right out of her body. Way to go! And what a wonderful example for your daughter, too. If only the person who hit the poor turtle had been as kind. I'd be very interested in seeing the pictures, and please keep us posted on how the eggs are doing.

Thanks. I felt horrible about not being able to
stop for her. I'm not absolutely sure it was the same
turtle but probably a good chance. Where she was trying
to cross was a very busy area of I-35, lots of huge trucks.

I just wish they had the instincts to be wary of vehicles
on roads.

My daughter fully understood checking on the turtle, and
in fact encouraged it, but she was a little perplexed about
me putting a dead turtle in the car. I explained about the
egg harvesting and she remembered how people (who are so inclined) are encouraged to check the pouches of roadkilled
oppossums for babies. She's as big of an animal nut as I am, if not bigger.

I will try to post pics later this afternoon or this evening.

I've been on I-35 before so I know what that's like & can understand why you were not able to stop that first time around.
I'd be interested in the photos as well & very interested in hearing about how it goes with those eggs.
I hope at least one will hatch, it's sure worth a try to incubate them!
Good luck on that.
btw ^5 on stopping when you did & giving this a try!
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PHRatz