Other Turtle Discussion :: rescued a painted?

[gameragirl]

A few days ago I rescued a turtle from my neighbors back yard. (The neighbor was mowing the lawn). I saw him sticking his head up, looking around, so I went and scooped him up. It was definitely a male, had long claws. The shell was so pretty with a little bit of dark red swirl in it, and a little red on the bottom edges. I'm guessing it was a "painted" turtle. It wasn't real bright, but pretty. He had dark skin with yellow stripe markings. Does anyone have an opinion what species he was? He was about the size of a full grown male RES. He must have walked up from the little stream that runs in the back of our properties. He had what looked like a perfect "bite" out of the edge of his shell. It looked like an old wound that healed, and it doesn't seem to have any ill affect on him. I took him back to the water and he was happy to go home. We have a "resident" baby alligator in a pond near by. That sure can account for the bite out of the shell. I've rescued turtles before that were crossing the roads. I always feel good when I get them to safety.

[marisa]

Props to you for helping him on his way. He sounds vaguely like a painted, but given that you're from Fla, a picture of him would have been much more telling.

I know what you mean about feeling good helping turtle cross roads. Last summer was really an unlucky one for me, though, just about every turtle on the road that I found was either already dead or fatally injured. Hope this year is a better one...

[DavidY]

Awesome rescue, Gameragirl! I think that is a sign of a very compassionate person, when you can stop what you're doing to help another creature in need without any expectation of reward or gratitude. That's also really cool that you have a resident 'gator nearby! I would love to live down there with all the reptilian wildlife, but I can't stand the heat and humidity!

I hate seeing dead or injured animals along the roadway too. It used to make me so sad and angry as a kid. Well, at least it's much easier to help the turtles get across the road than a squirrel or a deer. I do that every time I see one too. If my wife's in the car she always freaks out wondering what the heck I'm doing suddenly pulling over (I'm careful not to cause an accident). Then she realizes it's to help another turtle she just rolls her eyes and waits patiently. lol!

[industrial_girl_2000]

Good job, Gamera!!!

[steve]

Great to hear that! Sounds like an eastern painted... seems he likes to get around