TURTLE found

[AM Pythons]

View attachment 166470View attachment 166469i found a turtle yeserday arvo, behind the TAFE in the middle of a busy road near a train line, no whereView attachment 166468 near water. He has what looks like repairs on his shell, to clean to come from the wild imo(i may be wrong). i was going to hand him in to SOFAR in Newcastle. View attachment 166467I think its a murry river short-neck(emydura macquarii)..

 

[1issie]

Curious,we get turtles from the river,it gets to salty for them so my grandma brings them up and we put them in the less salty end.

 

[Funkstaa]

Good find! Poor little thing would have been dehydrated...Looks like she is in great condition though I would have to agree thinking it's not wild.
1ssie unless you have done extencive water chemistry testing I don't think it's a good thing to mess with nature leave them be they are smart enough to move along if the conditions are unsuitable...

 

[Kristy_07]

He's a biggin'!!

There was a thread a while ago about finding animals and what to do with them - perhaps it's worth putting up some signs nearby just to see if anyone can claim him (the owners, not just anyone )?? They're probably missing the little... uh... biggish guy. Once SOFAR get him, I'm not sure they'd release him again? Could be wrong about that, though...

 

[1issie]

Yeah,but its to far with a road,careless people and angry dogs they couldn't make it,last time one tryed it almost got hit by a car and trust me it smells like beach at one end of the river.But i do understand your point.

 

[-Peter]

Cleanliness of the carapace is not an indicator of its being a wild or an escaped pet. Many wild turtles do not have weed growth on them. A good indicator is that the turtle is unphased by people usually this tells you it has been around them a lot. The spots could indicate underlying shell rot. You could try calling your local wildlife rescue organisation. There are a couple up that way.

 

[GeckoJosh]

Hey was it found at Ourimbah Tafe?

 

[AM Pythons]

Hey was it found at Ourimbah Tafe?

tighes hill tafe.. Newcastle... on a 30foot high bridge, about to walk onto the road... very weird place for him...

 

[jordanmulder]

I don't think murry river turtles are found in newcastle?

 

[AM Pythons]

thats what my Gerry Swan book says it is....

 

[GeckoJosh]

Maquarie river turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) are naturally found in that area according to my field guide

 

[persona]

AM, you might upgrade your temp holding tank mate. Thats too shallow, if it falls on its back and cant right itself it'll drown. Twice its carapace length/width in depth is good.
The log isnt nessary for temp holding, it can surface/float. (unless it has ballast issues)

 

[AM Pythons]

Cool, thanks mate. Fixing now....... Will post pics
Should I heat the water to a certain temp. ? I have a fish tank heater?

 

[AM Pythons]

More water he seems happier!

 

[spongebob]

Maquarie river turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) are naturally found in that area according to my field guide

To my knowledge the Hunter river turtle is found in the upper reaches of the Hunter, not in the tidal/saline part of the Hunter that goes through Newcastle. It's clearly not where it's supposed to be and could be any of the various subspecies. I suggest you hand over to one of the local rescue groups as Peter has suggested. I've sent you a PM with local contact details.

Bob

 

[AM Pythons]

Wayne is on his way.. thanks spongebob...

 

[AM Pythons]

turtle has now been picked up by Native Animal trust- Hunter Wildlife Rescue.. View attachment 166686my gf with 'mertle' the turtle....

 

[persona]

Well done AM, good stuff!

 

[AM Pythons]

Well done AM, good stuff!

thanks...