Box Turtle
Jun 21, 2014 10:10:44 #
While visiting Spring Mill State Park in Southern Indiana last weekend, we saw this box turtle being swept down the cold, rocky mill stream. He seemed to be barely keeping his head above water and was struggling. One of our group waded in and got him out.
He was pretty lethargic; he didn't even try to go back in his shell and didn't seem afraid at all. I put him down on the lawn near some shade/sun so he could pick where he wanted to be.
He soon walked out into the sun where I got this photo.
He was pretty lethargic; he didn't even try to go back in his shell and didn't seem afraid at all. I put him down on the lawn near some shade/sun so he could pick where he wanted to be.
He soon walked out into the sun where I got this photo.
Jun 21, 2014 10:29:16 #
Thanks for rescuing this old boy. They are disapearing at a very fasy rate. Great shot by the way.
Jun 21, 2014 10:41:20 #
Your photo is great, but greater was the act of rescuing this creature. Thank you for sharing your photo and your story. And thanks to the kind person that braved the cold water for the sake of this turtle. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Jun 22, 2014 08:02:05 #
Jun 22, 2014 13:18:10 #
Jun 22, 2014 16:56:54 #
Tx bluebonnet
Loc: Lexington, TX
You should report this box turtle sighting to the Box Turtle Watch in whatever state you took the picture!
Jun 22, 2014 22:17:55 #
Millismote wrote:
Looks like he posed for you for the rescue, nice shot.
It WAS almost like he was posing! I've been around these guys all my life. It wasn't unusual to keep them as pets for a short while when I was a kid (and before they were endangered/protected). Usually they withdraw into their shell and glare at you from just inside. This guy stayed completely relaxed after we got him out of the water, head and legs completely extended, looking around at us. He actually seemed friendly!
We wouldn't have even bothered him but the mill stream he was being swept along in flows out of a limestone cave and is VERY cold. We feared that he may become too chilled to be able to get out. He certainly is a beautiful critter.
Jun 22, 2014 23:31:10 #
Tx bluebonnet
Loc: Lexington, TX
We live in Central Texas on a small ranch/farm. One evening a couple of weeks ago, my hubby heard something bumping against the front door. When he opened it, he started laughing. I'm attaching a picture of our box turtle - technical name is a 3-toed box turtle, as identified by a PhD at Texas A&M! The pattern on her back is very pretty. I say her because the description in the book I have says that a female has yellow eyes, a male has red eyes! Hubby took her down to our tank (pond) and released her near it. She swam along for a little bit, then climbed out on the bank.
Jun 23, 2014 00:59:10 #
Thank you for helping him out! He's beautiful; love all his colors!
That's an excellent photo, n9iui!
That's an excellent photo, n9iui!
Jun 23, 2014 23:42:54 #
Thank you everyone for the kind comments. This photo, to me, is a nice reminder of a great day with my wife and good friends. And, helping the turtle just made the day that much better.
Lonnie, N9IUI
Lonnie, N9IUI
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