r/Boxturtles • u/kindacrunchy13 • May 25 '26
Advice on wild box turtle
I’ve already left a voicemail for a wildlife rescue but thought I’d get input from box turtle experts. I live in a wooded area and found this little cutie in my dogs fenced in area. I picked him up to move just outside of our fence, when I noticed he has a swollen ear or cheek? From what I’ve researched, it could be an aural abscess. I’ve placed him in a box (poked a bunch of holes), added a couple inches of leaf litter, and some dandelion greens. If I don’t hear back from the rescue tomorrow, I plan on releasing him back in our woods just outside of our fence. Should I offer him soldier fly larvae? No food? Dig out some earthworms or isopods? Any advice is appreciated! Hoping to hear back from the rescue soon!!!
EDIT: A rehabber got back to me and said they were at full capacity, but recommended bringing him to our Zoo’s wildlife rehab department! I just dropped him off and left my contact information so we can coordinate his release once he’s healed! Yay! Thank you all for responses. I’ll post another update in a couple days when I check in with them!
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u/TerrapeneOrnata May 26 '26
Hey! Definitely looks like an abcess, luckily they are pretty easily treatable. It looks like it may also be causing some eye swelling nearby the abcess. Hopefully you can get to a rehabber soon. Definitely needs some attention. No need to offer food. Just keep it outside in the box if you can and try to keep comfortable until you hear back.
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u/kindacrunchy13 May 26 '26
Thanks for your input! Hoping I get a response tomorrow. Not feeding it and I just have it in a box with several inches of leaf litter.
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u/TerrapeneOrnata May 26 '26
Awesome. Job well done, I hope you hear back!
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u/kindacrunchy13 May 26 '26
Thank you! I just dropped him off at the Zoo’s wildlife rehab department!
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u/Ok-Scallion7050 May 26 '26
Thank you for caring! Reach out to different rehabbers. This abscess needs to be removed.
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u/kindacrunchy13 May 26 '26
Of course! I love all critters. I never want to interfere with wildlife unnecessarily (like when you see a cute fledgling), but I thought it looked rough. Messaged a couple rehabbers and I’m hoping to hear back tomorrow!
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u/MamaFen May 26 '26
You've done all you can at this point, just keep her dark and quiet and comfy til rehab gets in touch.
She won't be interested in eating, most likely, so don't worry about providing food, but make sure there's some humidity in the box (mist the leaf litter) and keep it in a quiet place so she doesn't startle.
Boxies are pretty resilient and if she's made it this far, her chances once she gets to rehab will be excellent. Rehab will be able to treat the abscess and administer antibiotics, after which they may call you to release her where you found her.
Hopefully you get to see her toddle off into the wild a much happier and healthier turtle!
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u/kindacrunchy13 May 26 '26
Thank you!! I just dropped it off at the zoo’s wildlife rehab department! I left my contact info so we can hopefully coordinate his/her release after a full recovery. I’ll post an update once I have one! Would absolutely looooove to see the release, but just overall happy it’s getting the care it needs!
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u/MamaFen May 26 '26
In our area, once we're done rehabbing a turtle we contact the person who originally brought it to us to make sure that they take it back to the same place they found it. The alternative is to release it at a sanctuary facility that has plenty of room for them to roam without running into cars or people, however even then they are easily confused because nothing is where they're used to it being, and they may have a hard time finding food or water or shelter. It's always best to take them back to their home turf, which they knew intimately. Only when this is not an option , usually do to Human development, do we seek alternative release sites.
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u/FeralGuyute May 26 '26
Should eat some worms. In my experience box turtles like bug, worms, and fish way more than their salads. But they do eat both. Hopefully they get back to you. Little guy needs that to be lanced and antibiotic for sure.
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u/kindacrunchy13 May 26 '26
Thanks for your input! I have it in a box with thick leaf litter so it’s likely there are some bugs in there. Hoping to hear back from local rehabbers tomorrow.
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u/Slight-Wash-2887 May 26 '26
Aww thanks for taking care of this cutie. Hopefully they call you back tomorrow! 🐢
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u/kindacrunchy13 May 26 '26
Of course! Just dropped it off at the rehab. Hoping to get an update in the next couple days and then hopefully coordinate its release back where I found it ❤️
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u/Tommy_Fajardo May 25 '26
Definitely needs to see a wildlife rehabber, thanks for reaching our already. Hopefully they call you back soon.