Flavonic
New Member
Hello,
I am new to these forums and I apologize if I'm posting this to the wrong thread or wrong forum in general. I'm in Northern Virginia and I found what I believe to be a youngish painted turtle with a cracked shell on the road near my home. I have rehabbed box turtles with similar wounds in the past and released them healthy near exact to where I found them. I've researched as much as possible on the painted turtle and what exactly to do but am still alittle unsure.
After 4 days with me, the crack is no longer an open wound (no blood, etc.) I've been keeping him dry for the most part aside from a low tray of water. These guys spend most of their time in water so while I want to keep him dry, I'm alittle worried about his health from not being able to spend time in the water. He gets alot of outside sun time each day with a shaded area, and I pull him back in the house for the nights. I have him in a large bin filled with reptile bark bedding. He ate his first meal of blood worms the other day. He is extremely active and healthy. I'm tempted to release him soon to get him back in the wild as I'm worried captivity will affect his health.
I guess some of my questions are...
When should I release him?
Where should I release him? Assuming near the same spot though it's not near a pond.
Should I introduce water that he can submerge in at some point?
Should I give him a heat lamp for when he is not able to bask in the sun?
Rehabbing the box turtles was easy. All this guy wants to do is get out! Please any good advice is welcomed. Pics attached.
I am new to these forums and I apologize if I'm posting this to the wrong thread or wrong forum in general. I'm in Northern Virginia and I found what I believe to be a youngish painted turtle with a cracked shell on the road near my home. I have rehabbed box turtles with similar wounds in the past and released them healthy near exact to where I found them. I've researched as much as possible on the painted turtle and what exactly to do but am still alittle unsure.
After 4 days with me, the crack is no longer an open wound (no blood, etc.) I've been keeping him dry for the most part aside from a low tray of water. These guys spend most of their time in water so while I want to keep him dry, I'm alittle worried about his health from not being able to spend time in the water. He gets alot of outside sun time each day with a shaded area, and I pull him back in the house for the nights. I have him in a large bin filled with reptile bark bedding. He ate his first meal of blood worms the other day. He is extremely active and healthy. I'm tempted to release him soon to get him back in the wild as I'm worried captivity will affect his health.
I guess some of my questions are...
When should I release him?
Where should I release him? Assuming near the same spot though it's not near a pond.
Should I introduce water that he can submerge in at some point?
Should I give him a heat lamp for when he is not able to bask in the sun?
Rehabbing the box turtles was easy. All this guy wants to do is get out! Please any good advice is welcomed. Pics attached.
