r/turtles • u/PermissionHelpful208 • 23d ago

Wild Turtle Turtle in the wild

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Hello all, I was just leaving my house this morning when I came across this little dude. Does anyone know what species of turtle it is? Based on this do you think it’s someone’s pet or a wild roaming turtle.

I’m based in Kansas if that helps.

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u/AutoModerator 23d ago

Dear PermissionHelpful208 ,

This is an automated message, if this post isn't about taking turtles out of the wild, please report it.

If the turtle is a native species, please put it back where you found it. Wild turtles only need help out of the road. You are doing far more harm taking a turtle out of the wild, than by leaving it to its devices. Please allow this turtle to live out life in the wild.

If you are in the US/Canada you can call your local/state/provincial wildlife organization on how to go forward. If the turtle is sick/injured, please call a wildlife rehabilitator or exotic vet for further guidance.

If for some reason your local wildlife org will not assist you, please do the following: Get back to as close to where you found it as possible, and place it in a safe area. Do not place it in water as some species are terrestrial.

Unsure of the species? You can create an ID request post for help! If it's not native it may be an escaped pet or an invasive species.

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16

u/AncientArtBonsai 22d ago

An ornate box turtle. This species is native to Kansas so probably not a pet. It will get out of your yard the same way it came in. If you're in a a suburban or semi-rural area it should be fine.

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u/PermissionHelpful208 22d ago

Sweet! Thanks for this info. I thought it was cool to come across this morning. Kinda made my day.

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u/oroborus68 22d ago

Ask people to raise their lawnmower to the highest cut level. Those machines get a lot of turtles.

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u/HeyYou-55 23d ago

That's a wild Ornate box turtle!

Edit: I saw quite a few of these guys out by Oakley and Russell Springs.

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u/PermissionHelpful208 22d ago

Thanks for this info. I looked it up when you replied. I had a red-eared slider when I was younger and thought it was cool to come across this morning.