need advice as fast as possible - Paw Talk

dragonmaster · #1 09-12-2002, 10:13 PM

ok, this is kinda wierd, so please bear with me. my friend, who lives across the hall, rescued a baby turtle from the world tonight. she found him crossing the street when she almost stepped on him. for some reason she decided to bring it home. when i got home she says to me "Lori, I need your help." only one problem...i really don't know anything about turtles.

right now its in a shoe box full of dirt with a little "pond" of water (in a tupperware lid) with a stick, a rock and some leaves. there is also a small piece of paper with some catfood on it (fish). That's because she wanted to make sure he had food, but we don't exactly have crickets handy and my friend jim has had a turtle for a while and he told me once that they give it catfood at the recommendation of his vet.

here's what we need to know. what on earth do we do with it? this was not a planned thing, and she really doesn't have any idea how to take care of this cute little guy. she is going to call a vet in the morning to ask for some advice (i insisted on this if she planned to keep it for any length of time.) we think its a snapping turtle, but its tiny, about the size of a half-dollar. i took some pics, but i don't have a digicam here at school, so i'll post some pics when i develop them in the morning. thanks in advance for the advice.

dragonmaster · #2 09-12-2002, 10:21 PM

*looks confused* i was under the turtles forum when i posted this. how did it get into urgent pet care?

***Jade*** · #3 09-12-2002, 10:24 PM

"need advice as fast as possible ..." I figured we could get our local herp expert over here more quickly this way, as it sends a notice to all moderators that there is a new post in this section.

His name is Toirtis and he should be able to help. He's usually online in the evenings.

dragonmaster · #4 09-12-2002, 10:28 PM

aaahhhhhh...ok, thanks. i appreciate that.

dragonmaster · #5 09-16-2002, 10:42 PM

actually the vet didn't have anything to say. they gave her the number for the DEP, who just told her to put it back and wouldn't say anything else on the subject. She doesn't want to consider that option...

we're definitely sure its a snapper now, though, and it seems to be doing ok. she named it chance and is feeding it crickets. its in a happy little terrarium now (which will have to be upgraded like 8 times i'm sure) and her friend is going to adopt it since she isn't allowed to keep turtles in the dorm.