HELP WHAT IS THIS

[cmacusa3]

When I was a kid in South Carolina, I encountered them often. I couldn't resist grabbing them and feeding them earthworms, etc.
The novelty will wear off, soon for the kids. Remember where you found him and if at all possible, return him when it happens.
And yes. It is much better to leave them alone. But, kids are kids.

Perfect response

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

Perfect response

And how many do you see now in the wild ? As many as you did as a child ?

 

[cmacusa3]

I still see a lot in the country, I could catch one probably every day. When I'm in the city I see them run over all over the place

 

[cmacusa3]

Just an example of how things go for me, 10 minutes ago a guy that delivers food in my neighborhood brought this little guy by, he said it was the 3rd one today he picked up and moved out of the road. This one was at an intersection with nothing but houses and cars around. He said there wasn't anywhere to put it in the woods so he brought it to me, lucky for it I'm heading to my land in the morning and will relocate this little guy.

 

[cmacusa3]

He has great color and isn't one bit shy.

 

[domalle]

I didn't mean it that way, and I was thinking of the poor turtle. I was trying to spare the child of watching the turtle slowly die if they kept it. Turtles are not playthings for kids, sorry but that is the way I feel.

I am sorry that you had to bear the brunt of my rebuke to the community. You are obviously a very caring person. And I have to like you anyway cause you're Canadian.

 

[domalle]

View attachment 130033

He has great color and isn't one bit shy.

An absolute beauty.

 

[domalle]

And how many do you see now in the wild ? As many as you did as a child ?

Where I grew up, they were always hard to find because of their secretive natures. Water turtles you could just dip your net in the river but box turtles you had to kind of stumble on. Only once growing up did I find one when I was actually searching on foot.
But their scarcity has never been because children were picking them up and taking them home.
I would never have developed an appreciation for them or become an advocate for them had I not experienced them
or been encouraged to interact with them growing up as a child.

We are setting ourselves up for not having future appreciators and protectors for them after we're gone.