Hey y'all,
I was out bird watching in Cape May today and almost stepped on a neonate diamondback terrapin on the beach. He had obviously just emerged and there were tons of baby turtle tracks all over the dunes, but this was the only one we found. I suspect they all emerged last night around high tide and scuttled over to the water b/c that is where the majority of the tracks disappeared. This one was headed away from the water, at high noon and was about to become a gull snack. So I picked him up and brought him home.
I set him up a little habitat in my kitchen until he is big enough to move into my 1000 gallon koi pond, but he seems to be having some trouble.
He is swimming in circles and can't seem to get his bearing. He is flipping over and generally having difficulty.
He can walk fine and all his limbs are uninjured, he is breathing and drinking (haven't fed him yet) and trying to swim, but just can't seem to get it right.
Is this normal for a day old neonate or is it a sign of a problem?
Any responses would be very helpful as I'd really like to raise this lil guy up.
Thanks!
