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Aerows

(39,961 posts)
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 07:44 PM Apr 2015

Found one of these guys baking in the driveway - Gulf Box Turtle



The flood waters have flushed them out, and they scramble.



Beautiful creatures, and before you ask, yes I returned it, but in a moisture rich, leaf littered part of the area
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Found one of these guys baking in the driveway - Gulf Box Turtle (Original Post) Aerows Apr 2015 OP
Thanks for posting...turtles are totally underated .. Stuart G Apr 2015 #1
It was obviously displaced after the Aerows Apr 2015 #2
Thank you for helping him peacebird Apr 2015 #3
How could I not? Aerows Apr 2015 #4
LOL! i live in the country and there are a couple times a year, late spring and early fall when peacebird Apr 2015 #69
P. S. Aerows Apr 2015 #5
Have you ever seen one of those in your area Jenoch Apr 2015 #7
I've seen one that was maybe middle aged Aerows Apr 2015 #8
For real? I remember them being all over the place growing up Scootaloo Apr 2015 #28
They have had a significant Aerows Apr 2015 #33
I remember toadlet infestations myself Scootaloo Apr 2015 #35
They are fascinating Aerows Apr 2015 #40
Speaking of the toadlet infestation Aerows Apr 2015 #64
Well, when several hundred daddy toads love several hundred mommy toads VERY MUCH... Scootaloo Apr 2015 #73
Thank you, Aerows! Your good deed for the day! Dont call me Shirley Apr 2015 #6
I particularly like the creatures of this world Aerows Apr 2015 #11
You shell be rewarded with Good Karma pinboy3niner Apr 2015 #9
My goofy big heart Aerows Apr 2015 #10
Good work! NCarolinawoman Apr 2015 #12
I will Aerows Apr 2015 #15
What a little cutie. enlightenment Apr 2015 #13
I had to help it Aerows Apr 2015 #17
It's always worthwhile. enlightenment Apr 2015 #24
It's just not in me Aerows Apr 2015 #27
Nor should it be. enlightenment Apr 2015 #36
It never will be Aerows Apr 2015 #51
Want! NYC_SKP Apr 2015 #14
Had to send the little friend on the way Aerows Apr 2015 #23
I love turtles! The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2015 #16
I do, too Aerows Apr 2015 #18
Awww...itty bitty one! nolabear Apr 2015 #19
Their true environment is becoming Aerows Apr 2015 #21
Not on your life. Scrambled with eggs, usually. nolabear Apr 2015 #29
Fugu of the South Aerows Apr 2015 #30
Turtles are like the little engines that could. Jamastiene Apr 2015 #20
I could do no less Aerows Apr 2015 #22
So..... you gonna marry it, or what? Warren DeMontague Apr 2015 #25
He ran off and left me Aerows Apr 2015 #26
"Ran" off? Warren DeMontague Apr 2015 #52
More a steadly Aerows Apr 2015 #53
Nice! H2O Man Apr 2015 #31
It was cute as pie Aerows Apr 2015 #39
Thank you for being a decent human! /nt dballance Apr 2015 #32
I wish that Aerows Apr 2015 #50
When the kids were little Omaha Steve Apr 2015 #34
Beautiful! Aerows Apr 2015 #49
I love turtles. 3catwoman3 Apr 2015 #37
Don't underestimate them Aerows Apr 2015 #41
No kidding, I once climbed a tree and found a snapping turtle skeleton up in it Scootaloo Apr 2015 #42
LOL! Aerows Apr 2015 #48
.. Liberal_in_LA Apr 2015 #38
I am thankful for your enthusiasm Aerows Apr 2015 #47
Good story today about a study showing locks Apr 2015 #43
I don't want to confuse anyone - this is a terrestrial Box Turtle Aerows Apr 2015 #45
awwww, thanks. I love turtles too. BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2015 #44
Thank you Aerows Apr 2015 #46
Boxing Turtles Is Cruel jberryhill Apr 2015 #54
The only thing I've ever known folks Aerows Apr 2015 #61
No need to snap jberryhill Apr 2015 #72
Do they all have fingers like that? jberryhill Apr 2015 #55
I didn't realize Aerows Apr 2015 #57
I do. Aerows Apr 2015 #62
Yep Aerows Apr 2015 #63
Rofl jberryhill Apr 2015 #71
We had a pet box turtle once. When we asked for him for a kiss he would stick his head out sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #56
They are very long lived Aerows Apr 2015 #59
Aww, thanks for helping the wee thing. a la izquierda Apr 2015 #58
Turtles are extremely difficult to care for in captivity Aerows Apr 2015 #60
Dear, dear Aerows...this is OT..but did you see the photo/story of the raccoon who yesterday climbed nenagh Apr 2015 #65
I'll have to look that up! Aerows Apr 2015 #66
P.S. Aerows Apr 2015 #67
We used to buy little turtles at Woolworth's that looked sort of like that. raccoon Apr 2015 #68
Those were probably red eared sliders csziggy Apr 2015 #88
Yes, they were red eared sliders. Ours never lived long enough to raccoon Apr 2015 #89
I'm old enough I remember the ones with painted shells at McCrory's csziggy Apr 2015 #90
Well, the tornado watch just passed us by and we survived! csziggy Apr 2015 #91
Glad to hear it passed you by. I was wondering about the power business. raccoon Apr 2015 #92
What was it baking? hootinholler Apr 2015 #70
Unfortunately Aerows Apr 2015 #75
Wow thats cool workinclasszero Apr 2015 #74
It was a beautiful dude Aerows Apr 2015 #80
Cute little feller Warpy Apr 2015 #76
I've read that their radius Aerows Apr 2015 #78
I'm just glad it didn't bite ya. cherokeeprogressive Apr 2015 #77
LOL! Aerows Apr 2015 #79
Good on you for doing that! kentauros Apr 2015 #81
The forecast is that we are to get beaten to death Aerows Apr 2015 #82
Coastal Texas has been relatively wet so far this year. kentauros Apr 2015 #83
Stay safe Aerows Apr 2015 #85
Thanks, Aerows! kentauros Apr 2015 #87
We've actually had a decent day Aerows Apr 2015 #84
I use "Wunderground" pretty much for all weather reports now. kentauros Apr 2015 #86
Love box turtles! DirkGently Apr 2015 #93
 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
2. It was obviously displaced after the
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 07:50 PM
Apr 2015

rain and partial flooding we've had. Cute little guy got stuck on the driveway after the rain left him there.

Now he is back where he belongs, but hopefully, on high enough ground that he doesn't get stuck.

They are suffering due to habitat loss. .

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
4. How could I not?
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 07:56 PM
Apr 2015

They are fairly vulnerable as people try to keep them as pets and habitat loss.

He was feisty little devil though. Once I got him cooled down enough so he could move again, he was ready to ... well, not run, but you know, walk quickly for a turtle.

peacebird

(14,195 posts)
69. LOL! i live in the country and there are a couple times a year, late spring and early fall when
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 06:38 AM
Apr 2015

our box turtles are on the move. i frequently stop to move them out of the road. "Fast" walking for turtles is still pretty slow, but I know what you mean...!

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
5. P. S.
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 08:04 PM
Apr 2015

Don't try to keep these guys as pets, as adorable as they are. They have a classification of Threatened.

Gorgeous little dudes, though, Terrapene carolina major.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
8. I've seen one that was maybe middle aged
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 08:11 PM
Apr 2015

You can tell their age by the shell rings. I've seen one with 12 rings, and brought him to a wooded area - twice. Same turtle, same time of year. They are amazing creatures.

They live about 50-100 years, so I don't think the rings pertain to years like trees do.

 

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)
28. For real? I remember them being all over the place growing up
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 09:10 PM
Apr 2015

And it wasn't that long ago

All those roads must be taking a hell of a toll

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
33. They have had a significant
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 09:16 PM
Apr 2015

population decline due to habitat loss. It makes me just as damn sad.

I remember the great tiny frog plague when I was growing up, around 1982 or so, where there were so many tiny frogs you had to sweep them away from the door.

I know that's a segue, but here along the coast, many, many creatures are losing their habitat.

 

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)
35. I remember toadlet infestations myself
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 09:21 PM
Apr 2015

We had a little creek behind my house, and after a good rain back in... '94, i think? The whole course of the thing was just a big mass of toad-egg goo. Couple weeks later, you really couldn't walk without.. .well... yeah.

Had musk turtles, sliders, and box turtles down there too. And this was basically just a drainage ditch in West Mobile, a couple blocks away from the stupid baseball stadium they installed off the interstate.

Just looked, and apparently box turtles - of all species - can live well past 100, and a good number of those caught by researchers are 70+ years old. Kind of boggles the mind that I might have been seeing the same turtles that my grandpa was evading with his push mower back in '49. even more boggling that that critter could end up a smush on the road in less than a second.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
40. They are fascinating
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 09:51 PM
Apr 2015

and incredibly long-lived. I'd like to think I'm not TOO old, but the baby I rescued will probably outlive me if mankind doesn't do something even more stupid with the planet than they already have.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
64. Speaking of the toadlet infestation
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 04:44 AM
Apr 2015

or I call them the plague of frogs, what causes that? I remember not being able to open the patio door they were inches deep and would leap right in!

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
11. I particularly like the creatures of this world
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 08:18 PM
Apr 2015

and the ones that surround me are just as fascinating as anything in another part of the world.

enlightenment

(8,830 posts)
24. It's always worthwhile.
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 09:03 PM
Apr 2015

I can't imagine letting a helpless creature suffer when I could help. Glad you feel the same.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
23. Had to send the little friend on the way
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 09:00 PM
Apr 2015

after he got cooled down in some water. He was absolutely precious, though

nolabear

(41,915 posts)
19. Awww...itty bitty one!
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 08:50 PM
Apr 2015

My granddaddy was a rambler. He's drive off for days leaving my grandmother to carry the load and hope he was sober enough to get home. He loved to bring us stuff, and box turtles were a favorite. (Also Mexican jumping beans, sugar cane, poke salet and various other foodstuffs.)

We'd keep them a day or two and he'd let them go. Probably scrambled the genes of half the box turtles on the Gulf, but I loved that man.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
21. Their true environment is becoming
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 08:57 PM
Apr 2015

endangered.

Oh, and I hope you didn't eat poke salet raw, cher

nolabear

(41,915 posts)
29. Not on your life. Scrambled with eggs, usually.
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 09:11 PM
Apr 2015

Strange and wonderful stuff. The fugu of the South. 😄

Jamastiene

(38,187 posts)
20. Turtles are like the little engines that could.
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 08:55 PM
Apr 2015

I always pull for them to achieve anything they are trying to achieve. It takes them a while. Thanks for saving him.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
22. I could do no less
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 08:59 PM
Apr 2015

I love pretty much all kinds of critters. I saw the poor thing stuck and knew that he was going to fry.

We've had SHED-LOADS of rain in the last few days, but today wasn't as rainy. I just gave the little guy his best chance, knowing that normally, he would have never had to face pavement, just a bunch of loamy soil.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
50. I wish that
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 11:19 PM
Apr 2015

being a decent human being wasn't something to remark upon - I wish it was merely the standard.

But thank you, and I appreciate you kind words.

Omaha Steve

(99,059 posts)
34. When the kids were little
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 09:19 PM
Apr 2015

At one point we had 23 total turtles. Eventually we let them go at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/DeSoto/

3catwoman3

(23,812 posts)
37. I love turtles.
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 09:37 PM
Apr 2015

A few years ago, on the 4th of July, I looked out on our deck and saw a HUGE snapping turtle. The shell was probably about 18 inches long, and the tail another 12 inches. Its claws were huge. It looked like a small dinosaur. I wondered how it got there, and figured some foolhardy neighborhood adolescent had risked fingers to put it there.

Imagine my surprise when I found claws marks on the steps to the decks. I had no idea turtles could do stairs.

A neighbor braver than I repatriated it to the nearby wetlands 4 doors down.

 

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)
42. No kidding, I once climbed a tree and found a snapping turtle skeleton up in it
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 10:04 PM
Apr 2015

Like, twenty feet off the ground in a big live oak, just this bleached, fucking ugly skeleton (that's how you know it's a snapping turtle, they are not exactly a beautiful creature ) sitting in the crotch of two branches.

My dad of course, being a dad, told me that it happened because turtles are really, really slow. it wasn't until some time later that I learned snapping turtles have a point A to point B mentality and will literally just plow through anything that is on the line between those two points.

Even if it means hauling twenty pounds of turtle up a live oak.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
48. LOL!
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 11:16 PM
Apr 2015

I've often wondered if I had a shell that was impervious, I could probably get away with a lot of crime because you could shoot at me but not harm me.

Then I realized that even with all the ballistic quality armor, you can't beat needing to eat, pee and drink! LOL!

Seriously, they are amazing creatures. That's why I respect them enough to pick one off of the concrete that wouldn't have been there had *I* not been there and try to do the right thing.

We can't save everything, but if we get the chance, at least we can save SOMETHING.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
47. I am thankful for your enthusiasm
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 11:09 PM
Apr 2015

The more people that get excited about preserving our natural resources, the better!

I'll along with you

locks

(2,012 posts)
43. Good story today about a study showing
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 10:17 PM
Apr 2015

that baby sea turtles have to swim and work hard when they're finally out in the big ocean. Many thanks to all the volunteers who also work hard to save all these wonderful animals.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
45. I don't want to confuse anyone - this is a terrestrial Box Turtle
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 10:55 PM
Apr 2015

They are not anywhere nearly as endangered as Sea Turtles, but the one pictured is Terrapene carolina major Gulf Coast Box Turtle

If I could save the 8 specie of sea turtles, I would, but this is a terrestrial one that functions like most reptiles in this area. It is nowhere NEAR as endangered as, for instance, Chelonia mydas, a sea turtle

That said, this is a creature that is native to my area, and I want to do everything I can to preserve them.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
46. Thank you
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 11:05 PM
Apr 2015

and I love the cat creeping on it's two legs in the gif you have .

In all seriousness, I just love people and critters.

I'll get back to you when I figure out which of the two categories I love more

 

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)
54. Boxing Turtles Is Cruel
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 12:33 AM
Apr 2015

If it's not okay with dogs, then I don't see how turtles makes it any better.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
61. The only thing I've ever known folks
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 03:10 AM
Apr 2015

to do with box turtles is race them, and I have absolutely no intention of exploiting this one!

What the hell, jberryhill!?

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
57. I didn't realize
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 02:41 AM
Apr 2015

that I had garnered such ill-will by you on DU, jberryhill.

I'm curious as to the reason for attacking me in bland thread.

Which part of "here's a turtle" offended your sensibilities?

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
56. We had a pet box turtle once. When we asked for him for a kiss he would stick his head out
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 12:48 AM
Apr 2015

and to get one. We kept him because he had been in a pet shop and were afraid he might not be able to survive on his own. But he got lots of time out in the garden.

I can't say for sure, but he did seem to like his people.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
59. They are very long lived
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 02:52 AM
Apr 2015

And they are an important part of our ecology here. In the wild, they are a concern because of declining populations. We must retain such ecological spheres with flora and fauna. They eat the awful bugs, like mosquitoes like they were born to do it.

What happened to your turtle, my friend?

a la izquierda

(11,784 posts)
58. Aww, thanks for helping the wee thing.
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 02:44 AM
Apr 2015

When I was little, I had a turtle named Tom. My parents told me he "ran away." I found out when I was 15 that he died.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
60. Turtles are extremely difficult to care for in captivity
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 02:57 AM
Apr 2015

From what I have learned. Like all cold blooded creatures they have to have warmth to digest.

They also need light because they operate not by conditions on the ground so to speak, they operate by the length of day. Many creatures do this.

nenagh

(1,925 posts)
65. Dear, dear Aerows...this is OT..but did you see the photo/story of the raccoon who yesterday climbed
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 05:05 AM
Apr 2015

700 ft up a construction crane in downtown Toronto and his photograph was tweeted out by the crane operatotor, Rob MacFarlane , as he began work. "Raccoon defies gravity, then thinks better of it" Toronto Star.

I'm tech challenged, otherwise I'd post a link... it might give you a smile...

The Mayor of Toronto has declared war on raccoons in Toronto by developing a new recycling bin that is apparently raccoon proof.. Toronto residents recycle and compost wet waste, vegetable , fruit peelings etc.. to make compost for the city..a bit of a raccoon magnet, no doubt.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
66. I'll have to look that up!
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 05:10 AM
Apr 2015

I am resigned to being teased about the raccoon incident and as you can see, I have a *very* hard time staying away from critters of all kinds.

I'm one of those dumb people that if their neighbor hollered "We have a snake!" I'd be rushing over to determine which Genus and species it is.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
67. P.S.
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 05:16 AM
Apr 2015

Tell your mayor that raccoons have little lock picking hands because their greatest sense is touch. They are haptic to a degree that would make you average high school student with a phone look clumsy.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
88. Those were probably red eared sliders
Sun Apr 19, 2015, 12:24 AM
Apr 2015
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-eared_slider

They are/were one of the most popular pet turtles. Problem is that they get pretty big and people let them loose in inappropriate places where they don't do well and where they interfere with the local turtles. See: http://www.turtlerescues.com/red_eared_sliders.htm

Or they may have been Eastern Painted Turtles which are slightly smaller, but still get way big for the standard home tank.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
90. I'm old enough I remember the ones with painted shells at McCrory's
Sun Apr 19, 2015, 01:12 PM
Apr 2015

We never bought any - we caught our own in the swamp next to our house. My sister kept one for years but one day while she was cleaning it's tank, it disappeared. Many years later Mom found it in the back of a closet where it had crawled and was mummified. So by the time I was old enough tro

We also caught ring necked snakes

Damn - jujst lost power.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
91. Well, the tornado watch just passed us by and we survived!
Sun Apr 19, 2015, 03:11 PM
Apr 2015

LOTS of rain and lightning but not a lot of wind. Power was out for a while - my other message was messed up because when it goes out I have just enough time to post a message before the battery back up shuts everything off.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
75. Unfortunately
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 03:35 PM
Apr 2015

Itself! The rain flooded everything, and then receded leaving the little dude in the driveway on the cement.

I'm doing pretty good, my friend, you?

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
76. Cute little feller
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 04:00 PM
Apr 2015

I hope he realizes you're a typical lefty and a sucker for animals and sticks around for a while so you can watch him grow.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
78. I've read that their radius
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 04:15 PM
Apr 2015

of habitat is about 750 feet, so maybe I'll see him/her again someday, with a big developed shell and leaving a trail of ones its size !

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
79. LOL!
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 04:23 PM
Apr 2015

Me too, my friend, me too!

I might bite, though, and as we all know I *have* had my rabies shots. And not in a good way. I wouldn't dare ruin my fine dental work with a nibble.

kentauros

(29,414 posts)
81. Good on you for doing that!
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 11:05 PM
Apr 2015


And I hope y'all are staying safe there. We're getting pounded by the rain, wind, hail, lightning, and a few minor tornadoes (mostly those are dissipating not long after they form.) And it's all moving to the east. I'm wondering how long this warm front will remain semi-stalled over the coast here...


http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=29.65114021&lon=-95.48165131&zoom=8&pin=Houston%2c%20TX&rad=1&wxsn=0&svr=0&cams=0&sat=0&riv=0&mm=0&hur=0
 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
82. The forecast is that we are to get beaten to death
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 11:11 PM
Apr 2015

tomorrow with rain. Hail is expected.

1 block from where I grew up in New Orleans had hail the size of hens eggs - I kid you not, that was in the national weather report.

I'm further East these days, but I suspect we are in for more rain.

As an aside -

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

Tell me how accurate that is. If we are in a slight drought after this week, I'd hate to see what wet weather is like!

kentauros

(29,414 posts)
83. Coastal Texas has been relatively wet so far this year.
Sat Apr 18, 2015, 01:41 AM
Apr 2015

Don't know if that will continue, though. I see by that map that y'all are in a moderate drought. I never would have guessed as I figured our rain was getting to you, too. (Okay, just had a 2-hr chat with my gf, her mum and stepdad, thus the long time to reply )

That Weather Underground page has an excellent weather map. I've been checking out the incidents of hail, wind, and tornadoes, one just southwest of here in Sugarland Thankfully, it did little damage. The lightning has been intense!

kentauros

(29,414 posts)
87. Thanks, Aerows!
Sun Apr 19, 2015, 12:21 AM
Apr 2015


Here's a photo I took last night to show the literal waterfall off the flat roof (the landlord still hasn't replaced the fascia boards so that he can then put up new gutters...)


 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
84. We've actually had a decent day
Sat Apr 18, 2015, 11:41 PM
Apr 2015

Cloudy, but no hens egg sized hail. Parts of the coast got that.

Please stay safe my friend and out of the terrible weather!

kentauros

(29,414 posts)
86. I use "Wunderground" pretty much for all weather reports now.
Sun Apr 19, 2015, 12:03 AM
Apr 2015

There were some pop-ups for the possibility of 3" inch hail, but that was the largest I saw reported, and all of it much closer to the coast (Houston is about 50-60 miles inland.)

And, there's more on the way. It looks like Austin just got what we're about to get. I hope our DUers in Central Texas are doing well and staying away from low-lying areas between hills.

Hope y'all are doing well, too, Aerows. Stay high and dry!

DirkGently

(12,151 posts)
93. Love box turtles!
Sun Apr 19, 2015, 05:52 PM
Apr 2015

Saved one that wandered into the yard one morning. Closed his little front door while I carried him into to woods nearby.

Good going!

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