Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Let me start by saying this:
I know it is wrong to take healthy turtles out of their natural habitat. Even the loss of one box turtle can damage the population in a specific area and due to the high mortaility rate for these turtles, I know it is important that adult turtles of breeding age should be left to continue their work year after year to maintain the local population.

However... I live in an apartment complex that USED TO have a large wooded area across the street. Over the past 2 months, this area has been decimated to clear space for new homes (because there aren't plenty of homes for sale all around the area already!) - Last night we found a female box turtle in our parking lot. She seems to be in good health, however was very dehydrated and a pretty skinny for her size - when I soaked her, she dropped her head and drank for 30-40 seconds straight - then did it again a minute later. I am guessing she wandered over from the construction site across the street.

There are a large number of highways in the surrounding area, and I would hate for her to wander around in front of a car now that her suspected home is no longer. I do not know of another wooded area nearby from where she may have come.

Here is my dilemma: I do not wish to remove a healthy animal from the wild. Especially as she is of breeding age and it would be wrong to collect her as a pet.

However, I have heard that placing this turtle in another location could be detrimental to her being, as she may not adjust and her homing instrict may kick in, putting her in danger of wandering into highways and other dangerous areas looking for her former home.

So I suppose my dilemma is this: Do I release this turtle back into the parking lot where she was found and cross my fingers for her? Do I keep her for a short time and bring her to a respectable weight (by feeding natural foods she would find in the wild), then release her into a large state park nearby where I know there is a group of box turtles already? Or do I keep her as a pet and (after a period of confinement to ensure good health) introduce her to my outdoor enclosure with my spoiled female box turtles?

I want to do what is right for this turtle.

Any input would be appreciated.

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1.0.0 Jack Russel Terrier: Skipper
0.1.0 Miniature Pinscher: Bambi
1.1.4 Eastern Box Turtles: Dozer, Daisy, Magnum and 3 hatchlings (Chuck Norris, Bumblebee and Higgins)
0.1.0 Red Eared Slider: Rosie

Make sure it's legal if you keep her.
Do not keep her then release her; in many states it's a crime to release an animal that has been held in captivity.

Personally, if you can care for her, I see no moral problem with keeping her. I wish I could have gone and collected some on one of my favorite spots before it was bulldozed >.>
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We wouldn't have 6 and a half billion people if you had to be beautiful to get laid.
6.6 African House snakes
3.2 reticulated pythons
.1 corn snake
4.2 Florida Kings
1.2 speckled kings
1.2 ball pythons
0.0.1 Argentine boa

Do you have a local box turtle group that would know about the area under construction, that might have a plan of attack so to speak about what to do with a displaced turtle like this one?

My feeling would be, if there is one strip of woodland or natural homeland left, you have to release it there and hope for the best. Maybe you could give her a good meal when you put her back, so she won't venture out into the construction area again? Not sure. Moral dilemmas abound. That's my two cents. Keep us posted.

I would keep the turtle. However, if you choose to release it, try to find a designated natural area with very few roads and very little traffic, you are certain will not be impacted by development. Make sure it is suitable habitat. Release the animal as deep into the center of the wildlife area as possible.
Maintain the turtle in a quarantined situation if you do intend to release it. While in your possession, do not allow it near other turtles of other reptiles for that matter.
Follow the law.
Good luck.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer