Awesome find!!!

[uniquendividual]

I was walking into town with my parents when my dad pointed up ahead on the sidewalk, and said, "There's a turtle!". I thought he was joking, but sure enough, it was a turtle. I don't know what kind it is though it has fiery red-orange markings . I don't have time now, but later I'll look up what kind of turtle it is and if there is a possibility of keeping him/her as a pet. God that just brought up a thought, I wonder how you would sex a turtle lol. I'll keep ya updated!

[TekWarren]

I would suggest you look up local laws regarding turtles...there are many and they are strict. In most cases unless you have a license collecting and keeping native turtles is illegal.

[wildlifewarrior]

Sounds like a painted turtle. Def look up local laws, you don't want to get in trouble over putting a wild turtle into a tank! Also there is lots of info online about sexing. If it is a paint (only turtle with firey red on him really in VA) mature male paints have long front claws used for holding the female during mating. Females are usually fairly large. Also if it is mature, you can gently pull the tail straight and if the cloaca goes well past the back of the carapace then its male, if it doesn't then its a girl. Google it for both pics and possible longer explanations.


wildlifewarrior

[uniquendividual]

Thanks guys, I don't think that I'll keep him for long. I'm just worried that if I release him close to home some dogs may get him or he may wonder into a road like he was when I found him.

[Sapphire7]

Thanks guys, I don't think that I'll keep him for long. I'm just worried that if I release him close to home some dogs may get him or he may wonder into a road like he was when I found him.

Well you did say he was on the side walk which is ofcourse close to the road. Just release him out nearby where you found him at but ofcourse in shrubs so no one sees him

[TekWarren]

You'll be doing a great deed to release the turtle to a safer area for sure. In the summer on country roads I'm forever yelling PULL OVER! or slamming on the brakes and pulling over myself if I'm driving. We move a few this year and also saw some that had been hit

[uniquendividual]

Yeah, I'm going to take a walk into the woods tommorow and release him into the woods, as for now he's in my old BP tank.

[wildlifewarrior]

Is there any type of marsh or pond near where you found them?? This time of year they are beginning to migrate to find places where they can over-winter, sometimes near a wetland sometimes not. Just take a look around if possible. good save from the road!


ww

[uniquendividual]

No marshes close to my house, thats why I was so surprised to see him here, though there is a river about 2 miles into the woods from my house.

[wildlifewarrior]

Paints also enjoy rivers, they can easily cruise about a quarter of a mile in one night over land. how far is that river from where you found her??


wildlifewarrior