Found a prematurely hatched turtle

[Jumhur]

Hello guys,
Today when I was at work, I found a broken turtle egg next to the construction I work in. The turtle was covered with ants, near its egg shells maybe 30 cm away. I cleaned it gently with water and put it on a damp cotton bed inside of a bottle and later today I changed it inside a glass cup but it has a very weird yolk sack. I can't tell if it is damaged or not, I just registered here and never had experience with turtles but I want to save it if possible. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Warren]

Not familiar with that type of tortoise, but I do believe that is the yolk sack. I believe the yolk sack would be closer to the middle of the bottom shell, where the fold is in the picture. Just keep it clean, warm and on a moist paper towel, Do not let that inner part dry out. I'm sure someone will be along soon with more experience too help you. And Welcome to the Forum, just give it a little time for the right people to read this.

 

[Warren]

"CORRECTION" I do not believe that is the yolk sack.

 

[Warren]

Just remember, if you found 1 on the construction site. There may be more, so keep in eye out for anymore. I hope you get the help you need.

 

[Jumhur]

Thanks for the reply! It is close to the middle of the bottom shell,but looks like it's been stretched out. Maybe the photo is misleading because it is so stretched.

 

[Jumhur]

I just checked it and its sleeping, I will take another photo later when it gets some rest, I don't want to bother it too much but the sack will need some cleaning I think because it has some earth on it from the site.

 

[Jumhur]

My main concern is this. I read that the yolk sack gets absorbed, but it didn't look like the photos I saw. I am worried that when it got out of the shell due to the impact , its sack got caught and something got pulled out from inside, outwards. Not sure if such things are possible but I'm just putting out my uneducated concern.

 

[Warren]

I believe as long as you keep it moist, it sould be OK. It looks to be newly hatched, give it a couple of day to fully form it shell from being squeeze in that small egg. Someone will be along soon to help identify your tortoise and help you with care sheets you will need to read. Good luck and hope it becomes your next best freind, keep us posted.

 

[Warren]

Sounds like it might be the yock sack. If that is the yolk sack that has ruptured, over time it will dry up and fall off. Just hope it not too serious.

 

[Yvonne G]

Try to find a spot where the baby will be warm enough. It should be around 29C or 30C. Keep it warm and moist and the yolk should absorb in a couple days. He should also be kept in some sort of covered container so he feels safe.

 

[TeamZissou]

This is a Greek tortoise. Believe it or not, they hatch like that, folded nearly in half. Over time, it will flatten out and look like a regular tortoise shell. I think you did the right thing, it would have died by either the ants or the construction.

 

[Jumhur]

Okay, I did some cleaning today of the yolk sack, some small dirt pieces and tiny rocks came out. Looks like the chord connecting the yolk sack to the turtle is ruptured. The sack did shrink since yesterday but it started to look more like the yellow of a hard boiled egg even though I keep it moist all the time. If it is ruptured as I think it is then I'm guessing it can't feed from it. When should i proceed to try feeding it and with what? The turtle looks way more active today than yesterday and kicks pretty strong 💪

 

[Sarah2020]

Hi, it will unfold and also absorb the yolk sac avoid any sac removal it needs it. Please read this care sheet whilst your not incubating there is some relevant info re the hatchling and suggested / best care.

How To Incubate Eggs And Start Hatchlings

I put my eggs in a plastic shoe box with a lid on it and put the shoe box in the incubator. You can drill a couple of very small holes around the top of the container, but not on the lid. I use vermiculite as an incubation media. I mix it in a 1 : 1 ratio with water by weight for Sulcatas and...

tortoiseforum.org

Please also read this care sheet for ongoing care...

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[TeamZissou]

On second thought, this looks more like an Eastern Hermann's tortoise. Their range supposedly does not extend as far down as Istanbul, however.

 

[Jumhur]

On second thought, this looks more like an Eastern Hermann's tortoise. Their range supposedly does not extend as far down as Istanbul, however.


View attachment 349168

I think your assesment is right because the current work I manage is in South Bulgaria. I had a look at the turtles after you said it was a Greek turtle and indeed it looked more like hermanns tortoise

 

[TeamZissou]

I think your assesment is right because the current work I manage is in South Bulgaria. I had a look at the turtles after you said it was a Greek turtle and indeed it looked more like hermanns tortoise

Ah yes, that does make sense. That would definitely be within the Hermann's tortoise range.

 

[Jumhur]

Any opinions on the yolk sack after seeing the photos I post earlier? This morning it didn't seem any smaller

 

[Jumhur]

Hi, it will unfold and also absorb the yolk sac avoid any sac removal it needs it. Please read this care sheet whilst your not incubating there is some relevant info re the hatchling and suggested / best care.

How To Incubate Eggs And Start Hatchlings

I put my eggs in a plastic shoe box with a lid on it and put the shoe box in the incubator. You can drill a couple of very small holes around the top of the container, but not on the lid. I use vermiculite as an incubation media. I mix it in a 1 : 1 ratio with water by weight for Sulcatas and...

tortoiseforum.org

Please also read this care sheet for ongoing care...

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

Thanks for the reply and advice! Did you see the photos I just post right before your comment ? Not sure if that would absorb it anymore. I sliced very thin pieces of cucumber but it hasn't touched them yet , will get some lettuce today or maybe dig out some worms and grind them to paste for protein ?

 

[Jumhur]

Hello guys, I haven't heard from anyone here since yesterday so I thought to give an update. I did what was suggested in the comments so far, but some nasty rotten smell started to come from the yolk sack. I'm begging to worry that the turtle might get an infection from that rotting ruptured sack. Should I look for ways to remove it ? If anyone knows anything about it maybe can let me know. I tried to feed it some lettuce and cucumbers but it hasn't touched them. Starting to get really worried . Any help or suggestion is greatly appreciated! 🙏🏻

 

[Sarah2020]

@Tom @ZEROPILOT have you any suggestions please re yolk on a hatchling?