This spotted turtle came in after being found in the road, it passed hands a few times before a responsible Samaritan contacted us. Spotted turtles are an endangered species. They are small, aquatic turtles, named for the yellow polka dots scattered across their dark shells. The species occur in wetlands throughout the east coast and in the Great Lakes region of the United States, and is threatened by the loss, alteration, and fragmentation of this habitat. Climate change has the potential to impact the hydrology of the wetlands the species depends upon over time. Poaching and collection for the foreign and domestic pet trade also pose a threat for spotted turtle populations.
When it comes to turtles, most of them are hardwired to return to where they were born to breed and lay eggs, so it's very important to return a turtle back to exactly where it was found otherwise the animal will try to get back to where it came from in its own and often ends up a futile journey thru cities, roads and unwelcoming and unsafe territory.
The good penitentiary that brought this spotted turtle to us was not sure where the animal was originally found, making it impossible to know where to return her too. because of this I contacted the department of natural resources who recommended I take the animal to penitentiary glen wildlife center where they could either place the animal in a breeding program or possibly release her with a group of other spotted turtles that they have been studying. We wish you luck gorgeous!
Comments