Hello All,
Last week my dog found a box turtle and drug it up into our garage. It didn't look very healthy (shell) and it only has 3 legs. I've been conflicted about releasing it, as everything I've read says they are very attached to their home ranges, and you should always release them back to where they came from. Problem is, since my dog drug it up, I have no idea where she found it. Anyways, Its been inside for the past week and we've been feeding it and dusting its food with calcium to get it healthy. It has been eating very well, (we've been feeding it a dried herbivore mix of veggies, insects, worms). My husband built an outdoor enclosure for it in our backyard so it can live as normal as possible. It's a 10 ft X 6 ft enclosure. He seems to have adjusted to us fairly quickly and isn't shy. I'm going to plant some strawberries, collard greens, ferns, and hostas?. I've been doing a lot of research on them, but I'm having trouble identifying if it is a Carolina or ornate. We live in southeast Texas, so both are common in our region. I'm afraid that due to his/her handicap (3 legs) and the condition of his shell, that he might not thrive in the wild? Anyways, If I post some pics could anyone possibly help identify it? I want to give it the best life possible!
Thanks
Last week my dog found a box turtle and drug it up into our garage. It didn't look very healthy (shell) and it only has 3 legs. I've been conflicted about releasing it, as everything I've read says they are very attached to their home ranges, and you should always release them back to where they came from. Problem is, since my dog drug it up, I have no idea where she found it. Anyways, Its been inside for the past week and we've been feeding it and dusting its food with calcium to get it healthy. It has been eating very well, (we've been feeding it a dried herbivore mix of veggies, insects, worms). My husband built an outdoor enclosure for it in our backyard so it can live as normal as possible. It's a 10 ft X 6 ft enclosure. He seems to have adjusted to us fairly quickly and isn't shy. I'm going to plant some strawberries, collard greens, ferns, and hostas?. I've been doing a lot of research on them, but I'm having trouble identifying if it is a Carolina or ornate. We live in southeast Texas, so both are common in our region. I'm afraid that due to his/her handicap (3 legs) and the condition of his shell, that he might not thrive in the wild? Anyways, If I post some pics could anyone possibly help identify it? I want to give it the best life possible!
Thanks