A Resident found a box turtle, should I release him?

One of my residents know that I absolutely ADORE turtles. My resident found this turtle on the side of the road and he was about to get hit by a truck. He took him in and brought him to me. I looked him up he looks like an eastern box turtle. My family took him out to walk in our fenced yard, he is very sweet and friendly. Sadly he was moving so fast and looking for an escape. Should I return him back? Do you think it would stress him to keep him since he has never been captive?

I would love to keep him, hes super awesome and I've already named him but I dont want to stress him by putting him in a tank.

Thoughts...

Yes, if it’s wild, then definitely release it.

TechnoCheese said:

Yes, if it’s wild, then definitely release it.

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Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. I will do just that.

Yes, they should always be left in the wild. Bring it back to where they found it and release it into an area that's away from the road

Take it back to the same general area it was found to release it.

wellington said:

Yes, they should always be left in the wild. Bring it back to where they found it and release it into an area that's away from the road

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Thank you I will do just that.

Toddrickfl1 said:

Take it back to the same general area it was found to release it.

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I will do just that. Sad to see him go but I would like the best for him!

If you kept it, it would spend its time trying to get out to go back to the place it came from. Never being happy or thriving. It's said they will spend their life time trying to get back to their territory.

I agree the turtle needs to be placed back in the same general area where it came from. That's his territory. He'll just keep trying to get back there. Also, I don't know about the laws in Maryland, but in other states where the Eastern box turtle is native, it is against the law to bring them home.

SunniRaee said:

I will do just that. Sad to see him go but I would like the best for him!

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There's always captive bred box turtles that need homes though!

Toddrickfl1 said:

There's always captive bred box turtles that need homes though!

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WHERE CAN I FIND THEM IN MY AREA!

You would have to check your laws in Maryland and see if they are legal to own first. I'm sure if you posted on the wanted section of the forum someone might be able to help you find one. Egg laying season is right now, there should be plenty of babies on the market very soon.

wellington said:

If you kept it, it would spend its time trying to get out to go back to the place it came from. Never being happy or thriving. It's said they will spend their life time trying to get back to their territory.

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This will break my heart. I will def put him back as soon as i get home!!!!

Toddrickfl1 said:

You would have to check your laws in Maryland and see if they are legal to own first. I'm sure if you posted on the wanted section of the forum someone might be able to help you find one. Egg laying season is right now, there should be plenty of babies on the market very soon.

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WOW had no idea!

SunniRaee said:

WHERE CAN I FIND THEM IN MY AREA!

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Technically speaking, in Maryland you can take one eastern box turtle from the wild, but as stated above it is not in the turtles best interest. You can own only one without the Captive Reptile Permit. Ethically, it would be best to buy a CB box turtle, which are sold on KingSnake.com, FaunaClassifieds.com, Classified groups on facebook. Or you can contact a breeder like Chris Leone at GardenStateTortoise.com and see if he has any available. If you wanted more than one, you would need that permit, which in my experience was not very hard to acquire.

EDIT: There are rescues in the area like M.A.T.T.S that has some eastern box turtles possibly.

Greetings, There are lots of turtles scrambling about the Maryland roads these past few days..this was recently posted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

SunniRaee said:

This will break my heart. I will def put him back as soon as i get home!!!!

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If you really want a eastern box turtle I may be able to help. I'm not sure what part of Maryland you are located, but I know of some in Southern Maryland that would love to find a forever home at no cost.

Turtulas-Len said:

If you really want a eastern box turtle I may be able to help. I'm not sure what part of Maryland you are located, but I know of some in Southern Maryland that would love to find a forever home at no cost.

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I'M SUPER INTERESTED. I live in Upper Marlboro, MD

SunniRaee said:

I'M SUPER INTERESTED. I live in Upper Marlboro, MD

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Your not far from me. I grew up right down the road from you In Morningside.I haven't been into Old Town Upper Marlboro for years, go through quite often either on 4 or 301. My Maryland house is in Huntingtown. Send me a PM and and maybe we can get together soon.

I didn’t realize how many Marylanders were here lol.