Box Turtle Rescue - Two Questions

September 18, 2014 3:01 PM

Found RIGHT ON the train tracks at the Watsessing Station - near Newark, NJ, and s/he definitely was NOT in a safe place, so I scooped the little one right up out of there - but now what do I do?

Originally I was planning to release it further up the tracks, but I thought better of it because, although there is ground water, it's still very close to the tracks, and it's basically a toxic waste dump. Not knowing exactly what to do, I brought it to work with me - now residing quietly in a DD Munchins box - feasting on some Dandelion that I picked up from the Fairway.

Another thing - s/he seems REALLY friendly - never retreated into the shell, and seems to feel really comfortable with a little head-rub. I really can't keep the turtle (I have cats) but I would also feel really bad about putting it outside if it essentially has no outdoor survival skills.

So, the two questions:

1. Should I go the extra mile and try to determine whether or not this is a missing/dumped pet-turtle, or can I assume that it's wild? Seemed like a crazy place to find a turtle - the whole area seems pretty inhospitable for wildlife.

2. If I can feel comfortable that s/he indeed a wild turtle and I can put the little one back out there, I think I only have about a mile radius to work with - is this true? My parents live further out in suburbia and that would seem to be a much safer place, but I read that the homing instinct is pretty fierce in box turtles; I really don't want to add any more stress for the creature.

Thanks for your help here - I am really out of my depth with this one...

posted by lilboo to Pets & Animals (11 answers total)

Found this:

http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2013/08/new_jersey_wildlife_eastern_bo.html

I would release it in an area similar to where you found it (proximity to water, open areas, trees) but further from tracks or roads. I don't think they would ever be domesticated and become "soft". It'll probably be fine.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 3:05 PM on September 18, 2014

It's probably a pet if it's that tame. Turtles are sneaky little things and a surprising number of them go missing. I'd advertise it as found on Craigslist at the very least.

Eta: are you sure it's a native turtle? Lots of box turtle species sold as pets aren't.
posted by fshgrl at 3:31 PM on September 18, 2014 [1 favorite]

If it never retreated into its shell AND let you pet its head, I'm going to say it's a pet. I move snapping turtles and red-eared sliders off the road ALL THE TIME and they always hide. Can you contact a local pet rescue and see if they know anyone who deals with reptiles?
posted by PorcineWithMe at 3:33 PM on September 18, 2014 [4 favorites]

Wild turtles may bite you if you touch them, let alone give them head rubs. The one you found was probably a pet. I second PorcineWithMe that contacting a reptile rescue center or nature center near you would be the best plan. Good luck!
posted by Guess What at 4:13 PM on September 18, 2014

I don't know, I caught several wild box turtles while growing up on Staten Island, and they generally became relatively "friendly" after spending a few days penned up in my backyard, being fed hamburger meat and raspberries. I'd get bored pretty quickly and put them back in the woods. I wouldn't immediately assume it's someone's pet. And even if it was someone's pet, I would think that a box turtle is sufficiently instinct-driven that even an escaped pet can do just fine on its own in the wild anyway (I could be totally wrong about this, just a gut feeling). Because it's a native species, I would set it free in a relatively wild area nearby and call it good. Full disclosure: I don't believe that turtles and tortoises should be kept as pets to begin with.
posted by bennett being thrown at 4:31 PM on September 18, 2014

I don't have an opinion about whether this turtle is likely to be a pet based on its behavior, but cities can and do have wildlife. Toxic waste sites too. Googling up Watsessing Station, it looks like there's a park and river to the north? He might have been living up there and got lost?

The Eastern Box Turtle is actually listed as a Species of Special Concern (a step below Threatened) in New Jersey, so you might see if you can get ahold of somebody at NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife and see what they recommend. They apparently track sightings of the species (see "How to Help" in the above link), so they might be able to tell you if there's any known habitat nearby.
posted by gueneverey at 5:23 PM on September 18, 2014 [4 favorites]

dump it in the woods next to a pond.
posted by bruce at 5:29 PM on September 18, 2014

Does your county have any nature centers? They should be able answer questions like this, and maybe even take the turtle for you.
posted by rue72 at 8:25 AM on September 19, 2014

Best answer: I would also report the presence to the NJDEP using the form at the Fish & Wildlife link. If you're still concerned about the tame nature of the box turtle, I recommend that you contact Snakes & Scales, an organization led by Bill Boesenberg, a NJDEP licensed reptile rehabilitator. They specialize in reptile rescue, placement and education. The nature center I work at has a long relationship with them, and we often refer people to them.

973-248-9964
posted by dorkfishgirl at 8:33 AM on September 19, 2014 [1 favorite]

Whether it's wild or not, I think the best thing you can do is take him to your local wildlife rescue or humane society. They will know how to take care of it and where/if to release it. My local humane society accepts wildlife, and they would be able to adopt it out if it is a pet. At least call and get advice before just dumping the poor thing some random place.
posted by catatethebird at 8:45 AM on September 19, 2014 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Update - Happy to say that I found a great NJ wildlife rehabilitator who works with rehabbing turtles exclusively (Harriet Forrester) and she is going to help the both of us out.

Long story, short: I'm going to deliver the turtle to the rehab for a health check and after that, if they determine that there is a suitable area for its release, then the turtle will get back out there. If there is a problem with the turtle's health, or if there is not a suitable release location, then the turtle will stay with rehab for the long-term.

Thanks for all the great ideas here.
posted by lilboo at 1:32 PM on September 19, 2014 [3 favorites]