Giant turtle saved

[Happinow]

I wanted to share this with everyone. Last night, while walking a few streets over from us (somewhere off Bradford loop) we encountered a few people standing on the side of the road. They hollered to us and asked of we wanted to see a big turtle. I thought......sure! Well a big turtle it was, probably about 12-15" in diameter. A soft shell turtle with a neck on him about 5" long. Apparently he had been in one of their yards resting next to a big rock where they had planted flowers. He was happily munching on the flower for his meals. They managed to scoot him out from the rock and he went and hid under the protection of a storm drain. They wanted to get him out of there so he didn't fall in and never be able to get out. They sprayed him with the hose (which he seemed to like) and that didnt work, so they got a brush broom and a shovel. He didn't like the brush broom and did he ever bite it! He was very fast with his bite. That must have ticked him off because he started coming out of the shelter of the drain and they got him into a can and off they went in their golf cart to bring him to one of the ponds. The turtle was saved from possibly getting hit or falling down the storm drain. FYI...there is no free service that will come get this turtle. You can pay to have creatures like this taken away.

[graciegirl]

I wanted to share this with everyone. Last night, while walking a few streets over from us (somewhere off Bradford loop) we encountered a few people standing on the side of the road. They hollered to us and asked of we wanted to see a big turtle. I thought......sure! Well a big turtle it was, probably about 12-15" in diameter. A soft shell turtle with a neck on him about 5" long. Apparently he had been in one of their yards resting next to a big rock where they had planted flowers. He was happily munching on the flower for his meals. They managed to scoot him out from the rock and he went and hid under the protection of a storm drain. They wanted to get him out of there so he didn't fall in and never be able to get out. They sprayed him with the hose (which he seemed to like) and that didnt work, so they got a brush broom and a shovel. He didn't like the brush broom and did he ever bite it! He was very fast with his bite. That must have ticked him off because he started coming out of the shelter of the drain and they got him into a can and off they went in their golf cart to bring him to one of the ponds. The turtle was saved from possibly getting hit or falling down the storm drain. FYI...there is no free service that will come get this turtle. You can pay to have creatures like this taken away.


NO? I heard that Gary Morse himself will remove turtles and alligators and Democrats upon request. ;)

Just kidding. About the turtles and alligators.

Does anyone still know the answer to this question?

Are you a turtle?

[ssmith]

Could it have been a snapping turtle? They can be nasty!

[pooh]

no? I heard that gary morse himself will remove turtles and alligators and democrats upon request. ;)

bazinga!!!

[Mikeod]

NO? I heard that Gary Morse himself will remove turtles and alligators and Democrats upon request. ;)

GRACIE!!!!!!!!

Say goodnight, Gracie. :1rotfl:

[hdh1470]

I wanted to share this with everyone. Last night, while walking a few streets over from us (somewhere off Bradford loop) we encountered a few people standing on the side of the road. They hollered to us and asked of we wanted to see a big turtle. I thought......sure! Well a big turtle it was, probably about 12-15" in diameter. A soft shell turtle with a neck on him about 5" long. Apparently he had been in one of their yards resting next to a big rock where they had planted flowers. He was happily munching on the flower for his meals. They managed to scoot him out from the rock and he went and hid under the protection of a storm drain. They wanted to get him out of there so he didn't fall in and never be able to get out. They sprayed him with the hose (which he seemed to like) and that didnt work, so they got a brush broom and a shovel. He didn't like the brush broom and did he ever bite it! He was very fast with his bite. That must have ticked him off because he started coming out of the shelter of the drain and they got him into a can and off they went in their golf cart to bring him to one of the ponds. The turtle was saved from possibly getting hit or falling down the storm drain. FYI...there is no free service that will come get this turtle. You can pay to have creatures like this taken away.

Picked one up on 466 a few weeks ago and dropped him by pond in ashland.When we lived in south Fl. years ago we would pick them up off the highways and put them in ponds by are hse.Just hate to see them hit on the road.

[buggyone]

Could it have been a snapping turtle? They can be nasty!

No, it sounds like a softshell turtle. They have a leathery shell, long snout and a long neck. They do bite hard enough to take off a finger - and the head will reach around a long ways.

Be careful but that was a nice thing to put it in the pond.

[RichieB]

Does anyone still know the answer to this question?

Are you a turtle?

I sure do, Gracie.

[cathyw]

I have picked up about 4 or 5 turtles, since moving to TV and returned them to the ponds. When you pick up a turtle, he will instinctively retract his head and legs. Just make sure that his head is facing AWAY from your body. Then you can just carry them to a nearby pond. They will only stay in this position for a short time, then they will start moving their legs and try to get you to let go. They dont realize that you are trying to help them, but boy are they glad when they see the water.

[marhitch]

Graciegirl...YOU BET YOUR SWEET ASS I AM.. Toledo oh. 10mile from the old TURTLE CLUB...

[fraurauch]

I still have my old Turtle Club membership card.

[Bonny]

We are always stopping & picking up turtles to take them to a pond. It's amazing how many cross Buena Vista.

[buggyone]

Remember that the softshell turtle does bite. The other turtles are the red ear or painted turtle and they will not bite. They also love the water.

Do not put a gopher tortise in the pond, though. They are a land tortise. If you see one of those on the road, take it to one of the tortise preserve areas and turn it loose in the field.

[graciegirl]

I still have my old Turtle Club membership card.

Just in case Frau...that someone doesn't know...

And even the astronauts were asked and knew the answer.

Ancient Order of Turtles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Order_of_Turtles#Qualifying_questions)

And rescuing turtles is a kindly thing to do. I just like to have a little fun. And I am not sure about Gary Morse and what he does in his spare time.:icon_wink::popcorn:

But Gary? If you are reading this. Are you a turtle?

[seashorecaroline]

I live in Tamarind Grove in a courtyard villa and on Wednesday night about 5:30 my dogs went crazy barking by the storm door in the front. When I went to check out what all the fuss was about much to my surprise I saw a large turtle! How in the world it managed to get to my front door is beyond me cause I am nowhere near a pond or lake. I called the Villages Community Watch and they sent a very nice gentleman who put the turtle in a bucket and took it to a pond. It sure was fun having the surprise visitor at my front door. :)

[graciegirl]

Can't load a picture.

[Bobcuse]

Remember that the softshell turtle does bite. The other turtles are the red ear or painted turtle and they will not bite. They also love the water.

Do not put a gopher tortise in the pond, though. They are a land tortise. If you see one of those on the road, take it to one of the tortise preserve areas and turn it loose in the field.

How can you tell which are gopher tortise's?

[Taltarzac725]

How can you tell which are gopher tortise's?

GopherTortoise Facts and Information (http://www.gophertortoise.org/tortoise/facts.htm)

Turtles -- identification guide -- Discover Life (http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Turtles)

This identification chart is helpful-- Sunnys Wildlife Florida Turtle Identification chart (http://www.sunnyswildlife.com/floridaturtleIDpage.html)

[zcaveman]

I stopped one day to help one of those large turtles that managed to get in the street next to a curb so he could not get back up. I picked him up near the back of his body to stay away from his head. His claws were going like crazy. When the head came out and aimed at my fingers I realized how long the head was. I immediately dropped him but it was on the grass and pointed towards the lake and he scampered toward the lake so I figured I did a good job.

I have helped others but not one as aggressive as this one.

[Happinow]

That was kinda like this one. He wasn't aggressive until they tried to get him moving with the push broom. Can't blame him, but it was for his own good. I didn't realize that there were that many turtles around. Better than snakes!

[hdh1470]

Just in case Frau...that someone doesn't know...

And even the astronauts were asked and knew the answer.

Ancient Order of Turtles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Order_of_Turtles#Qualifying_questions)

And rescuing turtles is a kindly thing to do. I just like to have a little fun. And I am not sure about Gary Morse and what he does in his spare time.:icon_wink::popcorn:

But Gary? If you are reading this. Are you a turtle?

I was a turtle before I changed into a frog

[CarGuys]

I wanted to share this with everyone. Last night, while walking a few streets over from us (somewhere off Bradford loop) we encountered a few people standing on the side of the road. They hollered to us and asked of we wanted to see a big turtle. I thought......sure! Well a big turtle it was, probably about 12-15" in diameter. A soft shell turtle with a neck on him about 5" long. Apparently he had been in one of their yards resting next to a big rock where they had planted flowers. He was happily munching on the flower for his meals. They managed to scoot him out from the rock and he went and hid under the protection of a storm drain. They wanted to get him out of there so he didn't fall in and never be able to get out. They sprayed him with the hose (which he seemed to like) and that didnt work, so they got a brush broom and a shovel. He didn't like the brush broom and did he ever bite it! He was very fast with his bite. That must have ticked him off because he started coming out of the shelter of the drain and they got him into a can and off they went in their golf cart to bring him to one of the ponds. The turtle was saved from possibly getting hit or falling down the storm drain. FYI...there is no free service that will come get this turtle. You can pay to have creatures like this taken away.

And then the hungry Mr. Gator ate the yummy little turtle saved from the safe yard and put in the gator pond. :cryin2:

[Debfrommaine]

We just saved a big turtle on St. Charles tonight, another life saved and hopefully he found the pond he was looking for!

[batman911]

My grandpa told me, when I was young, that if a snapping turtle bites you they will not let go until it thunders. :D

[CaptJohn]

We just saved a big turtle on St. Charles tonight, another life saved and hopefully he found the pond he was looking for!

Hope it wasn't Herv's gator pond! :laugh:

[CaptJohn]

My grandpa told me, when I was young, that if a snapping turtle bites you they will not let go until it thunders. :D

Must be true. I heard it also (the story and the thunder!). :laugh: This will be a safe week for snapping turtles to bite you!

[robertj1954]

From the description and his personality, it sounds like the same one I have rescued as he lumbered across Morse Blvd. I picked him up (pretty heavy) and lugged him over the the lake next to Morse Blvd. They seem to like wandering. Probably looking for a girl friend.

[CarGuys]

Hope it wasn't Herv's gator pond! :laugh:

Capt--:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[skyguy79]

How can you tell which are gopher tortise's?Aren't they the ones that will run and get you coffee when you ask? :oops:

[CaptJohn]

From the description and his personality, it sounds like the same one I have rescued as he lumbered across Morse Blvd. I picked him up (pretty heavy) and lugged him over the the lake next to Morse Blvd. They seem to like wandering. Probably looking for a girl friend.

Probably running away from gators in the lake! :laugh:

[CaptJohn]

Aren't they the ones that will run and get you coffee when you ask? :oops:

Yes, but they're so slow the coffee is cold when it gets back to you! :laugh:

[JohnN]

I don't know if a 12-15" turtle qualifies as a GIANT! But that's nice he/she was saved.
I've caught a couple of big 'uns on O'Dell and brought 'em to a nearby pond

[joannej]

This past weekend, my daughter and her boyfriend stopped traffic to save a turtle crossing a road in Ocean City, NJ! Also, many years ago when my daughters were younger I tripped on a turtle running out of the house to get something. The turtle went spinning on its back, and I fell down. At Christmas that year my daughter sketched a picture of the turtle and gave that to me as a Christmas gift. On the back of the picture my other daughter wrote up the story about how I almost killed myself tripping on the turtle! Still have the picture and wonderful memories!! :-)

[skyguy79]

Yes, but they're so slow the coffee is cold when it gets back to you! :laugh:Iced coffee! http://sachsxtc125.com/forums/images/smilies/smiley20whistling.gif