File :-(, x, )
FOUND: One Red-Eared Slider Anonymous
... Okay so, seriously, this is the most random encounter I've had in a while. I'm biking home from work and in the middle of suburbia, nowhere near any creeks, rivers, ponds, or anything of the sort, I find a red-eared slider. Big one, about eight inches long from head to tail.

I've taken care of a lot of animals over the years, but this is the first turtle I've ever cared for. I don't intend to keep him - I'm almost certain he belongs or used to belong to someone. I've seen wild turtles (not red-eared) in the creeks around here, but they've never been so sad-looking. He's got a lot of shell deformities - nothing that looks like it's affected his health, really, but I've never seen a wild turtle really be malnourished.

So yeah, I'm betting that A) he got loose from a backyard pond or something similar (and I intend to put up a few flyers) or B) the owner decided to "set him free", being unable or unwilling to care for him further. And knowing this area, I think B is far more likely.

SO. I've shredded a carrot for him, which he's prudently decided to ignore. I haven't any greens to give him, but I think I'll head up to the store a bit later to get some. Is there anything else food- or supplement-wise I can give him in the meantime? He's a pretty old turtle as far as pet herps go, and I know his shell won't heal overnight, but I'm going to do what I can for him, for now.

If the flyers get no response, I think in about a week I'll start talking to small animal/herp rescue groups in the area, see what I can do. I'm in Sacramento, CA.

TL;DR
I found a red-eared slider, about eight inches long. His shell is deformed but he seems otherwise very healthy and active. I've offered carrots, will get healthy greens later today. What's the best food to get? Best temporary housing? (He's currently clunking around in my bathtub.) And does /an/ know offhand any really good herp-based rescues?
>> Anonymous
:(
>> Anonymous
Could've been mine but I don't live in NoCal.

I used to have turtles named Leo and Myrtle.
>> Anonymous
A coworker says she's interested in taking him in. I'm going to hear from her tomorrow after she's talked with her boyfriend about it, and so hopefully he'll be off to a more caring home with people better able to focus on him than whomever owned him previously.

Got him some kale, mustard and collard greens, and some green beans ... He's nibbled only a bit, but dear christ, I didn't know turtles shat so much. I hope that's a sign of good health. I don't know what healthy turtle shit looks like.

Bumping my own thread in hopes that /an/ can still recommend some herp- or small-animal-specific rescues they've had any experience in dealing with, in case the coworker can't take him.
>> Anonymous
everything you need to know is here:

http://redearslider.com/index.html
>> Anonymous
>>241655
>this is the most random encounter
>random encounter

A WILD SQUIRTLE APPEARED!
>> Anonymous
He's probably not going to eat much if you're just giving him greens on a dish. The way slider's mouths are, they can only really eat food above them in the water. You need to feed him in the water. Some pellets from the petstore would be good, but mine will happily eat lettuce as well if it's floating in the water. An older one will need mostly plants though, and not too much protein.