East Tennessee Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

Found Turtles?

What do I do with this Turtle?

Observe the turtle before you handle it. The following questions will help you recognize whether the turtle is most likely injured or ill. If your answer to any of these questions is yes, the turtle does need medical attention and should be taken immediately to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Has the turtle been hit by a car? If safe for you to do so, remove the turtle from the road, carefully lifting the animal. Take any fragments of shell that may be near the turtle. (Believe it or not, turtle shells can actually be repaired!)

Does the turtle have eyes that are swollen shut, or have discharge coming from its nose?

Are the eyes sunken or cloudy looking?

Is there a large lump on the side of the turtle's head? Or large lumps on the legs or skin between the legs and head, or legs and body?

Is the turtle shell damaged - broken, cracked or injured? And if so. is the damaged area healed over, or is it open, raw or bloody? If healed over and the turtle seems active and alert, the turtle should be left alone.

Should you pick up the turtle, notice its weight. A healthy turtle feels heavy for its size, and solid (similar to a rock of the same size).

Is the turtle crossing, or about to cross, a busy roadway? If safe for you to do so, place the animal on the side of the road in the direction it was heading. Turtles will only turn around and re-cross the road if you place them on the side they were leaving!

The easiest way to transport an ill or injured turtle is in a cardboard box.

Did you know?

Turtle populations are in serious decline throughout the world due to loss of habitat and the pet trade.

The most common turtles in East Tennessee are the Eastern box turtle, the Eastern painted turtle and the common snapping turtle.

Turtles are able to care for themselves from birth. Hatchlings do not need to be saves unless in physical danger. In that case, move the turtle to a safe location near where found.

Box turtles often crawl onto roads on rainy mornings in search of food. Drive slowly and watch out for them, especially around curves.

Any turtle in pain may try to bite! If you must pick up a turtle, firmly lift by grasping the sides of the shell with the tail towards you.

Do not lift a turtle by the tail as this could cause spinal damage.