What to do with hibernating painted turtle my dog found?

[Renee]

I think the turtle is hibernating, however, it could be dead and I don't want to thaw him to find out! My dog was having a great time running around while I did some outdoor chores. When we got to the house I took the thing he was carrying out of his mouth assuming it was a chunk of frozen horse manure - but it was a painted turtle. I'd like to give the turtle the best chance I can to survive but am unsure about what to do. The dog was playing primarily in the area of my manure pile. If I put it back there the dog will find it again. Not sure if I should cover or partially bury it somewhere. I thought about locating it near the bank of a creek on the other side of my property. It's cold here today, about 18 degrees this afternoon with some wind chill. I have it in a bowl on my deck right now. Any thoughts? I don't understand the ways of turtles. Thanks, Renee

[Alice In TX/MO]

I'd put in on the south side of a building, buried in a few inches of soft dirt, and mulch with hay or other mulch.

[Bearfootfarm]

If you're afraid the dog will dig it up again, cover it with a milk crate or something that will allow water in, but keep the dog out

[mekasmom]

Most people around her just put them in the basement for winter. Keep a penned area somewhere with some straw where you bury it like in a bin. Put a little bowl of water in it with feeder goldfish.
I've known a lot of people who have over-wintered painted terapin.

[uncle Will in In.]

My daughter caught one about 7 inches wide several years ago. She kept in in a backyard pen most of the summer, then put it in the basement all winter. Our basement has a concrete floor and can sometimes be partly wet. She put a low pan of water down there and let it go where ever it pleased, which was very little. The next spring she got it back outside. The 4H fair had a turtle race. She took Rackele and won the small turtle race, and then won the grand finale. She got $5 and a wrist watch. Most turtles don't move much when people are bothering them but painted turtles aren't afraid to take off lickety split.

Painted turtles dig down into the muck at the bottom of a pond to hibernate. They don't freeze unles the pond freezes to the bottom and then some.

I suspect that it got faked out by the warm weather and came out of hibernation and started crawling around on dry land. Since you can't put it back where it belongs, I suggest you put it some place warm and see if it revives. If it is alive you will have to take care of it through the winter and turn it loose in the spring.

Turtles carry salmonella so be sure to wash your hands after handeling it.

[Renee]

Good story Uncle Will. Your daughter will never forget that turtle!
Nimrod, yes, we had mild weather here and I wondered the same thing.
I am going to ask a friend (Eureka!) if she would like the turtle in her basement for the winter. She would do a good job and understand about salmonella. Not sure what I'll do if she doesn't want it. I'll think about it overnight. My dog is a Pyrenees/Australian Shepherd and the diggingest dog I ever owned. If I put the turtle back outdoors I'll work hard to hide it and protect it.
I want to avoid my basement because I have a drive in basement/garage and wouldn't want to run the turtle over with a vehicle.
Right now it is in a rubber fortiflex feed bowl, layered loosely in newspaper with newspaper layers around the whole bowl. The bowl is under a door overhang, against the house and facing east.
Thanks everyone! I love these forums. I can learn to save a turtle or cook a turtle all at the same website! Blessings! Renee

[MOgal]

Could you check with your state Game and Fish Commission or Conservation Dept.? They usually have a list of people who can take the turtle and know what they are doing with them. I have a friend who is a vet tech and runs a rescue/rehab. She's had turtles and just about anything else you can think of from baby saw whet owls to draft horses.

[fatrat]

Eighteen degrees and he's only got newspapers to keep him warm. He may be frozen solid by now. He really needs to be in the mud that does not freeze.

[Renee]

Thanks, I had moved him to a spot in my barn and added some straw. My friend is going to take him tomorrow. She will be very careful. She's one of those people who can name any and every kind of insect or plant in the region. She will also probably photograph it and use this as a teaching moment for the class she works with. Originally I didn't want to move the turtle far from where the dog likely found it. I have 2 creeks and a pond on my property so it was a good habitat for him. Thanks for suggestion about game and fish dept. One of my neighbors was the only wildlife rehabilitator until she moved out of state. I don't think anyone replaced her because there was no funding available to help with costs. She took care of everything including tiny baby bats. I wish she were still around, she did an amazing job. Thanks again, Renee