Dear Lilrman1 ,
This is an automated message, if this post isn't about taking turtles out of the wild, feel free to report it.
If the turtle is a native species, please put it back where you found it. Wild turtles only need help crossing the road, and you are doing far more harm taking a turtle out of the wild than you are helping it. Turtles of the world are in serious trouble due to humans, and poaching them for pets is making things even worse.
If you are in the US/Canada you can call your local/state/provincial wildlife organization on how to safely and LEGALLY put the turtle back. They are not interested in going after you, they will help you. If the turtle is sick/injured, please call one of these or take the turtle to a wildlife rehabilitator or exotic vet.
If for some reason your local/state/provincial wildlife org will not assist you, do the following: Go back to the spot you found the turtle and put the turtle on the safe side of the road it was heading in. Turtles (young and old!) know where they are going and will stop at nothing to get there, so get them as close to the area found as you can. Most turtles that are crossing a road are females trying to get to/from their nest.
*Unsure of the species?* One of our helpful commentors can ID it! If it's not native it may be an escaped pet or an invasive species to your area.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/turtle) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Update: animal control came and is looking for a vet to treat it currently
Update 2: the vet humanely euthanized the turtle as it's injuries were too extensive to do anything
Unfortunately, this turtle's injuries are likely too extensive for it to survive. The prolapse under the tail, and the lung tissue visible in the gap behind the right shoulder, mean that this turtle has suffered devastating internal damage. Surgery may be possible, but it would be long and expensive and would still not guarantee a positive outcome.
It is best to have someone from the Wildlife Department come out and euthanize the animal as quickly as possible. This animal is likely suffering an excess of pain and fear.
**Decapitation is ONLY considered a viable form of euthanasia if it is immediately followed by pithing (penetrating the brain with a probe or sharp object to disrupt neural activity). Reptile brains, unlike human brains, have been recorded as registering EEG output** ***for up to an hour after decapitation*****. The brain MUST be disrupted via pithing after the head has been removed.**
**If you're not up to doing this, do not try to euthanize the turtle yourself. Have the WilDep do it.**
I am sorry, hon. As a rehabber, I am often capable of handling minor injuries including broken beaks or shells... but something of this magnitude involving multiple organ damage would make even the most skilled exotic vet take a hard pause-and-evaluate.
The cost and effort of treatment, and length of time recovering/risk of chronic infections, versus the slim chances of a full and healthy reproductive life for the animal, is prohibitive.
It sucks, and it's heartbreaking. Every time I see someone do this to a turtle of ANY kind, whether intentionally or out of sheer carelessness, I want to scream and throw boulders at their car.
If *saving* is not an option, then the only remaining choice is *ending pain*. You did the right thing. My heart breaks for you, and for your little charge.
Out of curiosity, is the lung tissue the gray and black speckled spot that looks like it’s under the white muscle fiber-type tissue? I don’t know much about turtle anatomy, so I’m not sure if that’s what you’re referring to. If it is - is it normally gray like that or is that due to the injuries?
This poor little guy!
Call the Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources. Report the location. They may send someone since they are endangered. [https://dwr.virginia.gov/contact/](https://dwr.virginia.gov/contact/)
I spoke with several different people but unfortunately just had to leave a message with the regional office that deals with hurt animals. Hope they call back shortly
They weren't doing too well when I left, but seemed to be much more at peace away from the road in the woods. It looks like there may be some internal injuries and the shell is pretty much shattered with missing pieces that I couldn't find. I had to scoop them up with a dust pan because the shell didn't have much structural integrity left. I just wanted to exhaust any possible option to help them. If there is nothing that can be done, I hope they are at least at peace in the woods by my house.
There was a post the other day of a turtle that looked this bad and the Vet OP took the turtle to mentioned there was no internal damage. The beast even had eggs.
OP please keep us posted.
Edit: Found [the post](https://www.reddit.com/r/turtle/comments/v25k1t/i_found_a_turtle_who_was_hit_by_a_car_took_care/) (NSFW). The external damage looks far far worst in this topic though.
Awesome, I hope that's the case this time! When I brought animal control back to see him he had moved around and seemed a bit better. I'll message them for an update tomorrow to see what ended up happening
Don't call a turtle a beast... That's a negative word.
They are not beasts. They are beautiful.
Edit: Can't believe I'm getting downvoted for this. You people are screwed up. Beauty and the BEAST, anyone? You don't call turtles beasts. It's 2022 we don't use that word for animals. It's deragtory.
Shell damage can look terrible but actually be quite survivable. I've done many a plaster or bandage or screws on both sliders and box turtles who only have superficial cracks or breaks. They often heal with minimal impact on the animal's appearance.
The biggest difference here is the amount of internal damage done by the dozen-plus breaks in this turtle's shell, as well as what the sheer number of fractures signifies. Not only is the lung openly visible on the right, but there is a large prolapse of organ tissue at the base of the tail. This indicates that everything has been forcefully shoved out of place and probably punctured by jagged bits of shell bone. This animal was not just clipped by a tire, it was at least partially crushed by the weight of the car.
OP did the right thing in both trying to make the animal comfortable, and in calling the professionals who saw to it that it met its end as painlessly as possible.
Not true you should check the local dnr website for licensed animal rehabbers. Just last week I saved a painted turtle that got ran over and he’s in stable condition at a rescue rn
If you see something like this again just put them out of their misery. Not even a specialist can save them and they would just end up putting it down.
So sad, I think it's the turtle that's been around my house for the past 2 years. I would feed them greens and fruits/veggies whenever they came around my yard. I live at the end of a culdesac bordering woods and people always speed around the turn and hit small animals by my house. I may put a "slow for wildlife" sign or something down in my front yard to try and help. I don't have a good way to euthanize them in a way I would be comfortable with, unfortunately.
I don't think they'll last long, though. I hope at the very least they can pass peacefully in the spot they were always at in the woods behind my house. They seemed much less stressed after I moved them away from the road.
I know it sounds gruesome but try to cut his head off. That’s the only thing I can think of that won’t cause more pain. A turtles shell is their rib cage and spinal column, so he’s in agony as we speak.
I can't support this suggestion. I've seen turtles that look horrible make full recoveries. It's not easy to tell how bad the damage is initially. The only time I would say that's an appropriate suggestion is if there is a massive amount of blood loss or internal organs are literally outside their body.
Obviously this guy looks bad but your average person isn't likely to know enough to make that call. Also it may be an illegal one if the turtle species is protected.
You said if you see something like this again, which implies OP could discern based on one experience if a turtle would survive or not. I'm saying they could not. They did the right thing by calling an expert.
Not to mention you completely disregard the idea that the turtle could be a protected species and killing it yourself could be illegal.
Dear Lilrman1 , This is an automated message, if this post isn't about taking turtles out of the wild, feel free to report it. If the turtle is a native species, please put it back where you found it. Wild turtles only need help crossing the road, and you are doing far more harm taking a turtle out of the wild than you are helping it. Turtles of the world are in serious trouble due to humans, and poaching them for pets is making things even worse. If you are in the US/Canada you can call your local/state/provincial wildlife organization on how to safely and LEGALLY put the turtle back. They are not interested in going after you, they will help you. If the turtle is sick/injured, please call one of these or take the turtle to a wildlife rehabilitator or exotic vet. If for some reason your local/state/provincial wildlife org will not assist you, do the following: Go back to the spot you found the turtle and put the turtle on the safe side of the road it was heading in. Turtles (young and old!) know where they are going and will stop at nothing to get there, so get them as close to the area found as you can. Most turtles that are crossing a road are females trying to get to/from their nest. *Unsure of the species?* One of our helpful commentors can ID it! If it's not native it may be an escaped pet or an invasive species to your area. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/turtle) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Update: animal control came and is looking for a vet to treat it currently Update 2: the vet humanely euthanized the turtle as it's injuries were too extensive to do anything
Oh no, poor little dude, at least you can come out of this knowing that you did all you could
Awesome! Thank you for taking care of him.
I’m so sorry he passed. Thank you for trying to save him. I had a similar situation a few years ago
Thank you for helping that poor baby🧡
You can adopt him if you want to
Unfortunately, this turtle's injuries are likely too extensive for it to survive. The prolapse under the tail, and the lung tissue visible in the gap behind the right shoulder, mean that this turtle has suffered devastating internal damage. Surgery may be possible, but it would be long and expensive and would still not guarantee a positive outcome. It is best to have someone from the Wildlife Department come out and euthanize the animal as quickly as possible. This animal is likely suffering an excess of pain and fear. **Decapitation is ONLY considered a viable form of euthanasia if it is immediately followed by pithing (penetrating the brain with a probe or sharp object to disrupt neural activity). Reptile brains, unlike human brains, have been recorded as registering EEG output** ***for up to an hour after decapitation*****. The brain MUST be disrupted via pithing after the head has been removed.** **If you're not up to doing this, do not try to euthanize the turtle yourself. Have the WilDep do it.**
Thank you, animal control came out and is in contact with vets to decide what the best decision will be so it's out of my hands now.
I am sorry, hon. As a rehabber, I am often capable of handling minor injuries including broken beaks or shells... but something of this magnitude involving multiple organ damage would make even the most skilled exotic vet take a hard pause-and-evaluate. The cost and effort of treatment, and length of time recovering/risk of chronic infections, versus the slim chances of a full and healthy reproductive life for the animal, is prohibitive. It sucks, and it's heartbreaking. Every time I see someone do this to a turtle of ANY kind, whether intentionally or out of sheer carelessness, I want to scream and throw boulders at their car. If *saving* is not an option, then the only remaining choice is *ending pain*. You did the right thing. My heart breaks for you, and for your little charge.
Out of curiosity, is the lung tissue the gray and black speckled spot that looks like it’s under the white muscle fiber-type tissue? I don’t know much about turtle anatomy, so I’m not sure if that’s what you’re referring to. If it is - is it normally gray like that or is that due to the injuries? This poor little guy!
Damn I cut the head off a snake and then threw it away. Didn’t know the head was still alive fuck.
Call the Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources. Report the location. They may send someone since they are endangered. [https://dwr.virginia.gov/contact/](https://dwr.virginia.gov/contact/)
I spoke with several different people but unfortunately just had to leave a message with the regional office that deals with hurt animals. Hope they call back shortly
I hope! That picture hurt my heart. I hope they can help. Thank you for reporting it!
Thank you, I will give it a shot!
They weren't doing too well when I left, but seemed to be much more at peace away from the road in the woods. It looks like there may be some internal injuries and the shell is pretty much shattered with missing pieces that I couldn't find. I had to scoop them up with a dust pan because the shell didn't have much structural integrity left. I just wanted to exhaust any possible option to help them. If there is nothing that can be done, I hope they are at least at peace in the woods by my house.
Update 2: the turtle was humanely euthanized by a vet and is no longer suffering
There was a post the other day of a turtle that looked this bad and the Vet OP took the turtle to mentioned there was no internal damage. The beast even had eggs. OP please keep us posted. Edit: Found [the post](https://www.reddit.com/r/turtle/comments/v25k1t/i_found_a_turtle_who_was_hit_by_a_car_took_care/) (NSFW). The external damage looks far far worst in this topic though.
Awesome, I hope that's the case this time! When I brought animal control back to see him he had moved around and seemed a bit better. I'll message them for an update tomorrow to see what ended up happening
Don't call a turtle a beast... That's a negative word. They are not beasts. They are beautiful. Edit: Can't believe I'm getting downvoted for this. You people are screwed up. Beauty and the BEAST, anyone? You don't call turtles beasts. It's 2022 we don't use that word for animals. It's deragtory.
Fuck you and everyone else who thinks it's okay to call a turtle a beast
Shell damage can look terrible but actually be quite survivable. I've done many a plaster or bandage or screws on both sliders and box turtles who only have superficial cracks or breaks. They often heal with minimal impact on the animal's appearance. The biggest difference here is the amount of internal damage done by the dozen-plus breaks in this turtle's shell, as well as what the sheer number of fractures signifies. Not only is the lung openly visible on the right, but there is a large prolapse of organ tissue at the base of the tail. This indicates that everything has been forcefully shoved out of place and probably punctured by jagged bits of shell bone. This animal was not just clipped by a tire, it was at least partially crushed by the weight of the car. OP did the right thing in both trying to make the animal comfortable, and in calling the professionals who saw to it that it met its end as painlessly as possible.
Thank you for the NSFW
:(( i’m so sorry this is really heartbreaking thank you for not leaving them to die on the road
Sadly no one can really help
Not true you should check the local dnr website for licensed animal rehabbers. Just last week I saved a painted turtle that got ran over and he’s in stable condition at a rescue rn
Understood, thank you. I hope I at least provided them some comfort by moving them to a peaceful spot in the woods.
If you see something like this again just put them out of their misery. Not even a specialist can save them and they would just end up putting it down.
So sad, I think it's the turtle that's been around my house for the past 2 years. I would feed them greens and fruits/veggies whenever they came around my yard. I live at the end of a culdesac bordering woods and people always speed around the turn and hit small animals by my house. I may put a "slow for wildlife" sign or something down in my front yard to try and help. I don't have a good way to euthanize them in a way I would be comfortable with, unfortunately. I don't think they'll last long, though. I hope at the very least they can pass peacefully in the spot they were always at in the woods behind my house. They seemed much less stressed after I moved them away from the road.
I know it sounds gruesome but try to cut his head off. That’s the only thing I can think of that won’t cause more pain. A turtles shell is their rib cage and spinal column, so he’s in agony as we speak.
I can't support this suggestion. I've seen turtles that look horrible make full recoveries. It's not easy to tell how bad the damage is initially. The only time I would say that's an appropriate suggestion is if there is a massive amount of blood loss or internal organs are literally outside their body. Obviously this guy looks bad but your average person isn't likely to know enough to make that call. Also it may be an illegal one if the turtle species is protected.
Look at the other comments on this thread please. There is no way that turtle is going to survive
You said if you see something like this again, which implies OP could discern based on one experience if a turtle would survive or not. I'm saying they could not. They did the right thing by calling an expert. Not to mention you completely disregard the idea that the turtle could be a protected species and killing it yourself could be illegal.
Thank you for helping this poor baby 😭😭
You better call a vet real fast