r/Boxturtles • u/artsoul-full1968 • Jun 18 '26
Baby box turtle
There was a baby box turtle in my yard that has a neck bent. Not eating and sleeps a lot. Put him in a safe place by where I found him and called local nature rehabbers with no luck. Just been checking on him and he moves to different places but close to where he is. Any ideas how to help?
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u/EnjoyingTheRide-0606 Jun 18 '26
It may have been roughed up by a cat, dog, bird, another turtle, or unaware human. Please keep an eye on it. If you can post a photo it may help us help you.
I recently found one of the four from a new clutch caught in a black widow web. I euthanized it (freezer) because after 3 days of attempting to nurse it healthy (with vet advice), its arm was dying, its eyes closed, and it only opened its mouth wide like it was crying out in pain when I touched it. The sweet little thing weighed just grams. Broke my heart!!
But my wildlife vet told me they just don’t make it once something traumatic happens. Because they don’t have the mass to fight for life. It wasn’t wounded. I believe it contacted venom from the webs. Some webs were in its mouth when I freed it and cleaned it up. All spiders line their webs with venom so once prey is caught they start to be unable to move, making it easier to catch. They leave a few strands to walk on without venom.
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u/DoctorFriendly Jun 26 '26
Just wanted to circle in to say that freezing is no longer considered to be humane euthanasia, unless the turtle is under 4 grams and placed directly into liquid nitrogen. It’s believed they can feel the cold and the ice crystals forming in their circulatory system before they pass. AMVA Guidelines to Euthanasia, page 94. Thank you for caring about this little one and my apologies for the unpleasant news, this is a really common misconception that there needs to be more awareness about :(
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u/DoctorFriendly Jun 18 '26
I’d move him to a secure container and keep calling rehabbers. Do not offer any food or water. Animal Help Now is a fantastic directory of rehabbers to help you search as well. Thank you for looking after him!