Turtle-Bob the Third

So I learned a thing today!

Wild box turtles are prone to ear infections, which can lead to abscesses. I learned this by having a very young box turtle with a swelling on the side of his head appear in my garden. (The third box turtle to wander into the garden--I seem to average one every two years or so.)

Fortunately, my awesome Twitter peeps were able to tell me what was wrong (I know nothing of turtle diseases—for all I knew, he was trying to grow another head or something) and I found a local rehabber who was willing to take a box turtle. (I think he was just grateful I wasn’t trying to foist a fawn on him!)

Turtle-Bob III will have his ear drained and get an antibiotic. Although abscesses can do a lot of damage, apparently this is very survivable with treatment, and the rehabber says he’ll call if the little guy pulls through and we can re-release him in the garden. (Box turtles have very small territories and this little guy was probably looking for one of his own. When they wander, they are in great danger from cars, but my garden is quite large and currently empty of turtles, as our last chelonian resident passed away peacefully some years ago.)

If you find a box turtle with a swelling on its head, call a wildlife rehabber or a vet that can work with reptiles.

And here is a turtle, because.

ETA: The rehabber just called---Turtle-Bob survived surgery just fine and is doing well! If all goes well, he'll be ready to come home in a week or so!