Giant turtle saved

Happinow · 06-07-2012, 07:49 PM

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 · 06-07-2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 06-07-2012, 07:57 PM

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

pooh · 06-07-2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graciegirl

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

bazinga!!!

Mikeod · 06-07-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graciegirl

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

GRACIE!!!!!!!!

Say goodnight, Gracie.

hdh1470 · 06-07-2012, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 06-07-2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssmith

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 · 06-07-2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Does anyone still know the answer to this question?

Are you a turtle?

I sure do, Gracie.

cathyw · 06-07-2012, 09:28 PM

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 · 06-07-2012, 10:10 PM

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

fraurauch · 06-08-2012, 05:29 AM

I still have my old Turtle Club membership card.

Bonny · 06-08-2012, 06:25 AM

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

buggyone · 06-08-2012, 06:46 AM

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 · 06-08-2012, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fraurauch

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

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.

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

seashorecaroline · 06-08-2012, 07:11 AM

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.

Giant turtle saved

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