I found a tortoise

[Both of us]

My brother found it while I was at work and when he said it was on the road near my house I just thought he meant it was within walking distance and not that I could have actually seen the turtle from my window, which is what the case seems to be. To tell the truth, I feel much better about placing the turtle there now that I know that's where the closest body of water is. A little further away in the opposite direction is a pond, but that is surrounded by grassland and thus not a very good place to put a forest turtle.

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

My brother found it while I was at work and when he said it was on the road near my house I just thought he meant it was within walking distance and not that I could have actually seen the turtle from my window, which is what the case seems to be. To tell the truth, I feel much better about placing the turtle there now that I know that's where the closest body of water is. A little further away in the opposite direction is a pond, but that is surrounded by grassland and thus not a very good place to put a forest turtle.

In the future if you find another box turtle in the road, you don't need to trek it to a body of water, just help it across the road (pointing in the direction it was going) and it'll be able to go about its business.

 

[Both of us]

I'm sorry if I'm not doing any of this right, the only other creatures that I have returned to nature are the arthropods that get into my house. The last one was a centipede from this morning, and not a house centipede otherwise I would have left it in the kitchen.

 

[Both of us]

My brother told me the turtle was lying as still as possible, probably frightenned of the passing cars, and does not recall what direction it was facing. In the future we will place turtles on the other side of the road that the turtle is facing.

 

[Both of us]

My brother seems to be getting annoyed that I am asking him so many questions about this single turtle, so I will cease with the interrogation for now. I am truly concerned for the life of this turtle and am doing the best I can for it. I trust providence for its care overnight and if I can still find it tommorrow morning then I will relocate it deeper into the woods.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

We don't know if it was heading to or away from those woods, you don't know if you'll be putting it into another turtles territory.
It will find it's own way now, and, in my opinion, is best left alone.

 

[domalle]

My brother seems to be getting annoyed that I am asking him so many questions about this single turtle, so I will cease with the interrogation for now. I am truly concerned for the life of this turtle and am doing the best I can for it. I trust providence for its care overnight and if I can still find it tommorrow morning then I will relocate it deeper into the woods.

I admire you and your brother for trying to do what's best for the little turtle you found. You came here for help and it seems what you got
were lectures. I am sorry for that and hope you are not discouraged from your exploration of the nature of living things. I was a teacher
for many years. I only wish I could have had students like you and your brother. You would have made me proud.

 

[ascott]

I admire you and your brother for trying to do what's best for the little turtle you found. You came here for help and it seems what you got
were lectures. I am sorry for that and hope you are not discouraged from your exploration of the nature of living things. I was a teacher
for many years. I only wish I could have had students like you and your brother. You would have made me proud.

I don't think offering valuable information the same as a lecture at all... I see someone popping in with their adventure only to be enlightened...no lectures. You did good and when yiu run across the turtle again you will smile a bit differently...did the turtle have red eyes?

 

[Both of us]

I don't remember what color the turtle's eyes were, but I do know that they were not read. I went to check on the turtle this morning and it seems to have moved a few feet. As I said I would do I relocated it further into the woods. Not much further, just several meters away from civilization into the denser portion of the forest and next to some fallen logs. I was apprehensive to travel any further because it gets particularly thick the farther one goes in. The turtle did seem better though, for the first time I saw it pull its head and legs into its shell. Normally it would let its head and limbs hang limply. Perhaps it has regained its energy. I wish it well and hope for its safety and will try my best not to bother it again.

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

I am completely shocked the turtle was very near where you left it last night. Poor thing. That does not bode well for its health and survivability.

 

[Angel Carrion]

Yeah. That sounds like something is wrong with the turtle. Especially you saying she would just hang limp when you picked her up before.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

I've seen turtles basking on the road when the pavement is still warm and the sun is no longer strong. Nothing wrong with the turtle, just taking a break.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Well, all we can do is hope for the best for the turtle.
Hopefully, it'll find itself some breakfast and resume its journey.
Thank you very much 'Both of us' for keeping us informed and doing your best.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

I am completely shocked the turtle was very near where you left it last night. Poor thing. That does not bode well for its health and survivability.

I'm afraid you're right.

 

[ascott]

I don't remember what color the turtle's eyes were, but I do know that they were not read. I went to check on the turtle this morning and it seems to have moved a few feet. As I said I would do I relocated it further into the woods. Not much further, just several meters away from civilization into the denser portion of the forest and next to some fallen logs. I was apprehensive to travel any further because it gets particularly thick the farther one goes in. The turtle did seem better though, for the first time I saw it pull its head and legs into its shell. Normally it would let its head and limbs hang limply. Perhaps it has regained its energy. I wish it well and hope for its safety and will try my best not to bother it again.

You did good..and since you don't know the turtle well enough to know its normal behaviour then all are guessing just as you..since there is no way to know the health of the turtle then there is no way to know if it will live or die..heck, turtles die even in captivity--especially ines that once knew the wild..but one thing is likely..you have given it a chance to do what it is supoosed to vs being forced captive..if you keep an eye out in the area you were in then you may see the turtle again..and hey, if you see it obviously ailing then you can be in the position to offer aid and then return it again to the woods once recovered...just because we happen upon a creature in our travels does not mean it is lost or displaced....