Found box turtle

Question
Hi Amanda.  I found a box turtle outside at my barn.  It was there for at least 3-4 days and I thought something must be wrong.  I think it was trying to hibernate.  It is sluggish and doesn't open it's eyes.  What do I do with it?  I'm afraid if I put it back outside it will die.  I know absolutely nothing about them.  Any input will be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Karen

Answer
Hi Karen,

Yes, he might die if you put him back outside.

If he can't open his eyes he is either hibernating or has as eye infection.  Probably hibernating, given the time of the year.

The best thing would be to take him to a vet and explain your situation (an exotic animal vet) and just explain that you need to know if he is healthy enough to bury outside so the turtle can continue hibernating (if box turtles are native to your area).  Maybe the vet will give you a discount or waive the fee.  The vet needs to make sure there are no obvious signs of infection and the turtle is fat enough to make it through the winter.

I am concerned as to why the turtle is not buried.  Maybe he was somebody's pet and he was placed outside with no time to find a suitable place to hibernate, or maybe he was sick and that caused some problems?  Maybe an animal dug him up as he was hibernating?

If you can't find a vet you can contact the nearest turtle rescue, and they may be able to take the turtle or look at it and advise whether or not to bury it again.

Now, if you've been keeping the turtle inside and he's moving around OR his eyes are open (you feel he's almost out of hibernation) then keep him OUT of hibernation until you can get him checked out.

If he's outside on the porch in a box with towels (protected from predators and freezing temperatures) then keep him there in hibernation until you can find someone to look at him and advise what would be the best for him.

If you can look around the area you found him and find evidence that he had been previously buried (a hole, or if he was covered in mud or dirt) AND he's still in hibernation, then I'd go bury him back by that spot below the frost line.  I don't know the soil in your area, but I'd guess about 7 inches deep.  Pack the dirt down firmly, but don't jump up and down on the spot or anything (I know, common sense).  If you can protect the spot from predators do so by making a sort of wire cage with rocks around it (write me again if plan on doing this and I can help you more... I'm writing a book here!)

So basically you want to figure out why he's not buried
- look for a hole
- if no hole, he needs to be given the OK by a vet before put outside again (or cared for if there are any probs)

Let me know how it goes.  If worse comes to worse you can always keep him and then release him in the spring, but try other things first.

-Amanda