eliseandboris
Member
Found on City Streets- Trying to identify and care for the night
- Thread starter eliseandboris
- Start date
eliseandboris
Member
He's likely starving and severely dehydrated. I'm not sure if I should only be introducing smalll amount of water or what to do...
You found a slider turtle! You can give him enough water to swim in and a place to climb out of the water. he'll also want a heat lamp basking area on dry land. he might eat pellets but more likely an earthworm or similar
eliseandboris
Member
Thanks Josh! I'm somewhat familiar with tortoise stuff, but I'm so worried b/c he was out in a heatwave 
Ya know how sometimes giving too much of a needed thing ( food or water ) can make a sick animal worse. I'm just worried I'll mess him up overnight because he doesn't seem to be in good shape.
Ya know how sometimes giving too much of a needed thing ( food or water ) can make a sick animal worse. I'm just worried I'll mess him up overnight because he doesn't seem to be in good shape.
just keep him warm and wet. not submerged is ok if you're worried he's weak and might drown. some wet moss and a heat pad and a quiet dark place to relax might be best?
I agree with Josh. You can use a cinder block for the basking area and bring the water level up close to level with it. You can do this outside so the tortoise can warm up in the sun, but be careful to always have shade available so the turtle doesn't over heat. Check the water temperature to make sure you aren't making turtle soup. It should be dark at night, and its fine if it cools at night.
This type of turtle has to be in the water to eat, so it isn't going to eat in your dry tub there.
This type of turtle has to be in the water to eat, so it isn't going to eat in your dry tub there.
eliseandboris
Member
Great! Thanks. It's almost 1 am where I am. I didn't want to go to bed the wrong way.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
How's the turtle doing?
eliseandboris
Member
Seems do be doing well! It pooped last night. Got a tank from a friend and an assortment of food.
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The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Good to hear. I hope he eats for you. What are you planning on doing with him?
eliseandboris
Member
The woman who found him is coordinating with a turtle rescue
IF you are interested...
That is an Eastern River Cooter
Pseudemys concinna concinna
That is an Eastern River Cooter
Pseudemys concinna concinna
eliseandboris
Member
Thanks so much! I'm so happy to say, we have a turtle rescue to work through now. Hopefully she'll get better and perhaps hitch a ride to Tennessee 🤷♀️
eliseandboris
Member
Update: Little thing was taken in by a wildlife biologist even though it's not native. It is a cooter of some sort, but he wasn't positive which kind when we met up.
I had a vet tell me she thought it would need critical care for a while, but once the biologist saw it, he thought it actually looked pretty healthy
He said he'd take him in and that he could check him out and then find an appropriate home for him. I got so lucky this guy took him in. After reading about cooters, I see they need a big pond-like habitat when they grow up. Good to know this guy will find the proper place for him to live ❤️ Thanks all for your help!
