This week, I was finally able to get some time with my mentor, because turtle season has officially begun. I practiced hand-watering, giving injections, and assisted with dental work (is it called something different when the patient has a beak instead of teeth?) Hand-watering is when you have to help the turtles drink. Normally, turtles… Continue reading Shots, Sips, and Dentistry
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Patient Spotlight: Freyja
In Norse mythology, Freyja is the goddess of death and fertility, and is also a fierce warrior. This girl is the embodiment of that goddess in turtle form, and a true survivor. It started one Memorial Day weekend, when I was heading out to a friend's BBQ, and I get a call from a fellow… Continue reading Patient Spotlight: Freyja
Testing, Testing, 1,2,3, Testing!
It is unnecessarily difficult and expensive to screen turtles for disease in Connecticut. It could be just as difficult elsewhere; I don't know. What I do know is that it's a pain in the ass. When you become a turtle rehabber, one of the things that is impressed upon you is to keep each patient… Continue reading Testing, Testing, 1,2,3, Testing!
Waiting Is A Deadly Game
If you find an injured animal, call a rehabber for help immediately! Not in a couple hours, not when you get out of work at the end of the day, not after a day or two of “wait and see”…and certainly not four full months later. That’s what the finder of this poor girl did,… Continue reading Waiting Is A Deadly Game
Big Turtle, Small Budget? No Problem.
Take a look at my quasi-DIY solution for upgrading the size of your tank to better fit a large turtle after it outgrows most commercial glass aquariums. You're not actually building much of anything yourself, but you will be going on a little bit of a scavenger hunt for all the pieces you'll need to… Continue reading Big Turtle, Small Budget? No Problem.
Adoptable Turtles
While pet turtles are not my thing, I occasionally come upon special circumstances and make an exception. Usually these are dumped pets that were found injured in the wild where they don't belong, but not always. Read on to learn about current foster-turtles in need of a new home. If you would like to adopt… Continue reading Adoptable Turtles
Turtle Crossing Signs
If you’re looking for a fun, easy activity to do with friends or children or teens that can be done safely distanced outdoors, try making your own turtle crossing signs. The best time to do this is in the spring, so that the signs can go up during the spring and summer, when turtles are… Continue reading Turtle Crossing Signs
DNA Database
I recently came across a really interesting study being done by the TSA (Turtle Survival Alliance) & Tangled Bank Conservation, which is seeking to use DNA to map populations of eastern box turtles. The goal of the project is to create a DNA database of known turtle populations so that when confiscated turtles/turtles of unknown… Continue reading DNA Database
Dealing with Death
Be aware there are images of real patients in this post that may upset sensitive viewers. You're not going to be able to save every animal. That's just the truth. There is no way around it. Sometimes you'll get an animal in that is hurt so badly that it doesn't stand a chance and the… Continue reading Dealing with Death
Fragile Frankie, My Little Fighter
It may not look like much, but this represents so much progress for this little guy. When I first took in this eastern box turtle patient, back in July, I was pretty sure he wouldn’t survive the week, nevermind recover. He had been hit by a car right on the side of his head. His… Continue reading Fragile Frankie, My Little Fighter
Turtle Haven 