Urgent Care :: Return to wild Help please

[Turdle]

Hi
Thanks for allowing me to join. MY name is Jon, I frequent a large automobile forum by the same screen name , and, I understand how well forums and discussion boards help.
I enjoy drives with my wife, Camping, explorering where this road goes and helping turtles get to the other side of these roads.

However,

In this case, I really need some help

We have had a lot of rain filling the creeks and rivers. However, the high water was at least 2 blocks away from us. We are near the Neosho river in Kansas - about 3 blocks away. Some feeder creeks are closer, but as I mentioned at least 2 blocks.

I found a tiny quarter sized slider --in my garage. Somehow he got in under one of the doors. One mystery is how he got there. Maybe he was dropped by a bird?

I am not sure, but I do know I want to return him to the wild. So, if you could help guy out-what should I do? Should I release him in a feeder creek, or take him to a log on the river?

It's been abut 3 days now, I think the water levels have receded enough to let him go. I tried giving him a tiny piece of a earthworm but he acted afraid of it. He hasn't eaten and I'm getting kind of worried.

I do not want to keep him as a pet. I already have too many furry kids, and to be honest one of them, without mentioning names. would probably chew this little guy up like a toy.

[steve]

Hi Jon. Does he still have an egg sac? I'd give him a soak in clean water and check for injuries. Do you know of any areas that they are native too? If there is already a community there, then it's a safer place to release. It's also common for some people to hold them and make sure they are fed after a few days and release. Some even hold them longer, especially when they think they are too young for hibernation.

You might want to check with local rescues. If they know it's wild, they will be eager to help you release him as soon as possible.

[Turdle]

Hi Jon. Does he still have an egg sac? I'd give him a soak in clean water and check for injuries. Do you know of any areas that they are native too? If there is already a community there, then it's a safer place to release. It's also common for some people to hold them and make sure they are fed after a few days and release. Some even hold them longer, especially when they think they are too young for hibernation.

You might want to check with local rescues. If they know it's wild, they will be eager to help you release him as soon as possible.

We live right by the river and it's feeder creeks, so these guys are all over. I have learned to nudge the adults off the road with my foot, as they get so stinky you never can wash the smell off your hands.

This little guy went to my neighbor. I had no clue he raised small ones like this until they can get out on their own, usually about 2.5 to 3" he says. One of the feeder creeks to the river crosses his back yard. He has saved and released several.

He said he never allows them to see him drop food in and does not spend much time with them so they remain timid.

[Kansasslider]

Hey fellow Kansan. You can keep it for a while if you like. I think it would have a better chance on its own if it were a bit bigger. Watch out though. You might just like having it around