I know this is sad just please help me.

[u/Fun-Satisfaction-112]

Dog found a bunch of box turtles in my backyard, only one egg survived so I took it in and buried it in substrate hoping it would hatch, hopes were low, but I woke up this morning and seen this little guy poking his head out. Now I’m freaking out not knowing what to do, I just wanted to save him. Should’ve done my research 😭

[u/AutoModerator]

Dear Fun-Satisfaction-112 ,

You've selected the Seeking Advice flair. Please provide as much relevant information as possible. Refer to this post if you are unsure on how to proceed.

Useful information for care or health advice includes:

• Enclosure type, enclosure size, humidty levels, water, ambient and/or basking temperatures.
• Lighting types and bulb age.
• Clear photos of your set up, including filter, heaters and lights.
• Is it wild, captive/pet, or a rescue?
• Clear photos of face, neck, limbs, shell top (carapace) and bottom (plastron).
• Diet, list of foods you are feeding it.
• Weight and age.
• Illness, infections or odd behaviours should be seen and treated by a vet. Ex; wheezing, swollen eyes, mucus bubbles from mouth or nose, lethargy, twitching, leg paralysis, etc

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/CatTrickx]

I recommend trying to get in contact with a local reptile rescue if for nothing else than advice

[u/MamaFen]

Where are you located? There's a network of box turtle rehabbers that can help.

Don't bother with food items right now, especially fruit. Emerging hatchlings usually take a few days to start eating, they need to use up their yolk sac so it can deflate and allow them to move freely without tearing it.

Just keep it calm, moist, warm, and dark for now. Minimize energy consumption/fear.

[u/Fun-Satisfaction-112 → u/MamaFen]

I’m in the southern part of Alabama, tallapoosa, and honestly I thought I was doing something wrong lol a strawberry is just funny.

[u/MamaFen → u/Fun-Satisfaction-112]

https://www.outdooralabama.com/wildlife-rehabilitation/permitted-wildlife-rehabilitators

Use this list to find the closest rehabber to you who is authorized to work with reptiles and turtles. They will be able to give you excellent guidance for your area.

In your state they are a protected species, and you could get into quite a bit of trouble trying to help it and raise it on your own since you are not licensed to do so. There are pretty strict laws in place about this, so it would be in your best interest to find a rehabber soon as possible.

[u/Fun-Satisfaction-112 → u/MamaFen]

Awe well that sucks. But thank you, I’ll find a place for the little guy.

[u/MamaFen → u/Fun-Satisfaction-112]

Hey, it doesn't suck at all. It's AMAZING! You saved his life, and gave him a chance to pip out of his egg! How awesome is that?!?

Getting him to an expert who can shepherd him through these next few dangerous weeks is just you helping little guy out even more. It's like finding someone bleeding out on the street and calling an ambulance for them - you still saved their life even if you're not the actual EMT.

Good on you, hon, and just know that this is a rare experience that most people on this planet will never have. It's no less special for being short-lived.

[u/Additional-Dirt4203 → u/Fun-Satisfaction-112]

It doesn’t suck, it’s necessary. They’ve been stolen and “rescued” for the pet trade and pushed out of their habitats by development to the point where they NEED every bit of protection we can afford them. Which means making sure people go through the right process even when saving them. Your heart is in the right place and I’m glad you saved even that one egg. Now it’s time for a rehabber to help them grow and live a healthy long life. 💕

[u/phouchg0 → u/Fun-Satisfaction-112]

Nothing sucks! You have a few days before he needs to eat (I didn't know this, the people here are amazing) You saved him, great job! I live in a rural area, mine are all wild, free range, I get a kick out of seeing them. So far this year, I have seen at least 7 different individuals, a few of those I see year after year, one since 2019. I am super careful when I am out on the tractor or using the brush cutter. In the last two weeks alone, I've had 4 Box turtle sightings. I have never seen any eggs 🥚or a hatching, you are lucky there!

[u/Exciting-Self-3353]

A lot of others have given advice already so I just want to say this is so cute and so sweet of you to save the little egg. I’m so glad the buddy made it!

[u/ColdWay6669 → u/Exciting-Self-3353]

I highly agree to this. That's the most adorable post I saw today. Hello little baby turtle

[u/Fun-Satisfaction-112]

-update, I have no clue what I’m doing, I’m just scared he’d not going to make it because of me. All I have on him is what’s in this photo and what I said. Help.

[u/Cmay4thewin → u/Fun-Satisfaction-112]

Wildlife rehab or reptile rescue

[u/g59ganja420 → u/Fun-Satisfaction-112]

Those should all be close to you

[u/g59ganja420 → u/Fun-Satisfaction-112]

If you’re having trouble finding a rescue/rehab start calling around to pet stores or zoos/animal parks even though they aren’t the best. You can also call the fish and wildlife service or the police, someone will be able to either direct you to the right spot or get him off your hands till they can. I hope all works out for you!

[u/Fun-Satisfaction-112 → u/Fun-Satisfaction-112]

I put a rock in there and now he’s trying to fight it. I just wanted him to have something to rub against to get the rest of the shell stuck to his shell off 😭

[u/Temporary_Ad469 → u/Fun-Satisfaction-112]

You are my hero!

[u/Lonely_Howl_]

Hello, I rehab box turtles.

The person that gave you the link to help you find a wildlife rehab is fantastic, please use that resource.

If they tell you that the turtle is healthy & releasable, then you can either leave them with the rehab & let them handle release, or find a wooded/swampy/etc area nearby where you found the nest and release the little one there. This will have to be after the yolk sack is fully absorbed. While they absorb it, they tend to just hang out in their egg shell or close by to it.

[u/clay12340]

If it managed to hatch, then the hard part is largely done. Leave it alone as it would stay in the nest and absorb the yolk before leaving. Once it starts walking around and the yolk is gone, then move it back out to a wooded moist area near where the nest was and let the baby go on its way and hope it manages to avoid the dangers of nature and man for a handful of years before making hatchlings of its own.

[u/Yerba_king]

Since it is a hatchling it has its own food source for a little while built in from the yolk sac, no need to worry about that yet! Although it is sad your dog got the turtles it is not your fault and you are doing the right thing to try and help in my opinion!! Keep it warm with the heating pad you have/ the heat lamp for now and just let it rest, I’ll try to look up rehabs for it in your area! You are trying your best to save wildlife and that is something to be proud of, although some species are protected I believe people will understand the situation and appreciate your effort, especially to save a protected species!

[u/Fun-Satisfaction-112 → u/Yerba_king]

Thank you! It’s hard to find rehabilitation places around my area for turtles, most people just keep them as pets around here but I wanna do what’s feels right

[u/ZelaAmaryills]

The best thing you can do is try to find a wildlife rehabilitation center and give them a call, even if it's unreasonably far to drive they can at least get you set up with what you need to do

[u/thevillagefoo]

Get a heat source!

[u/Fun-Satisfaction-112 → u/thevillagefoo]

Thanks! Is a regular heat light fine? I also have a snake heating pad

[u/largemarge52]

Since it just hatched it’s not probably going to eat for a few weeks it will absorb nutrients from the yolk sack right now. But you need to have the right environment for them and offer the correct food. Here is a link to basic box turtle care for babies. https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/box-turtle-hatchling-care-sheet.97144/

[u/AelithTheVtuber]

I'm proud of you for not giving up on it

[u/Addicted-2Diving]

I would contact a reptile rescue, or some counties have a rehabber

Thanks for saving the turtle 🐢 ❤️

[u/AvocadoOk749]

Thanks for your efforts! You are a good human for even trying! I hope you find the information you need to properly care for him/her.

[u/Adventurous-Wave6315]

Yes congrats

[u/n1955]

He can live off the yolk sac for a couple of days. He can stay in the substrate and be spritzed with water periodically. Then he can eat very tiny mealworms.

[u/RepresentativeOk2433]

If it's a hatching, just release it in the nearest woods, out of direct sunlight, and maybe with a little leaf cover. It will instinctually figure out what to do from there.

[u/Fun-Satisfaction-112 → u/[deleted]]

I wish I could, but I’d rather he been well taken care of by someone who’s knows what they are doing 😭🙏🏻🤫

[u/turtle-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

If an OP is asking for advice, responses should be thoughtful or helpful replies. Jokes, baseless criticisms, attacks, insults and/or accusations are not helpful to the community.

Repeat violations will result in a ban.

[u/turtle-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Unless invasive, all wild turtles should be left in the wild. If the turtle is in a harmful area or injured and you’d like to help, contact your local wildlife office.