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painter turtles

22 16:46:51

Question
help. please

i was given a painter turtle about the size of a 50 cent piece. (they
say about 2 yrs old).  it was kinda ill.

the shell was basically mush. very soft especially around the edges.  
well i have had it for 2 days.  the problem i was told they didnt have a
lamp for it to dry out or bask in. and they were feeding him nothing
but flies.  

i have since put him with another turtle that is about to be let back
into the wild. same kind just 2 sizes bigger.
tis morning i got up and noticed something was wrong picked him up and
the back 1/4 of his shell over his left leg is cracked and hanging on
by the skin underneath it.  the corner edges of the shell, when i got
him his shell was turned up around the edges.  he is eating good.(i
think). and some of his shell is drying out and least harder to the touch
than when i first got him.  but what should i do about the back part
cracking and just hanging there?

help please  ASAP


Answer
Well...

For the cracked shell, I would try this advice: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medshell.htm#Cracked%20Shell:

For the letting the other turtle back in the wild, most released turtles die soon after the release. They just never get into the 'flow' of the place you release them, and a million factors line up against their success.

If you have experience in acclimating turtles, following proper quarantine procedures to ensure the turtle does not take any germs with it, have been feeding the turtle only wild foods in a natural setting, etc.- then the odds are a lot better.

If you just can no longer care for it for whatever reason, please try to find someone to give it too. Flyers in pet shops often produce good results.