What is Turtle Rehab?

Notes from a Presentation by Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator Angelina Carnevale

May 8, 2025

Angelina began her talk by noting that 61% of turtle species worldwide are threatened or already lost. There are many causes, but all are related to human activity.

Causes include invasive species, destruction of habitat, climate change, poaching and over-collection, and accidental injuries. 

Invasive Species: Non-native turtles, fish, snails, and plants can overtake the habitats of native turtles. Red-eared sliders are turtles who are not native to Connecticut. They were once sold in stores. People released them to the wild when they grew too big. “They are huge, aggressive, and grow very quickly. They lay more eggs than our native turtles. They are overrunning our ponds. Red-eared sliders are invasive everywhere but Antarctica.” 

Habitat Loss, Degradation, and Fragmentation: These alterations in turtle habitats are problems everywhere. In places where apex predators are no longer present, mid-level predators increase in number. Mid-level predators include raccoons, possums, foxes, coyotes, skunks, and squirrels. These animals will feed on turtles and turtle eggs. 

Climate Change: Variations in weather disrupt hibernation and breeding patterns in many ways. If turtles come out of hibernation too early, they may not find food. They can freeze to death if the weather turns cold once they are out. Flooding can wash away their nests or hibernacula (winter shelters). They may go to the street to warm up on a cold day. Gender is determined by the temperature at which their eggs are incubated. Eggs will not survive if it is too hot.

Poaching and Over-collection: People take turtles from the wild for pets, food, fake medicine, decorations or jewelry, selling to illegal trades, and ill-advised attempts to help turtles. 

Angelina stressed that turtle shells are a layer of bone covered by keratin. Our hair and nails are made of keratin. Turtle shells have NO medicinal value. The sale or purchase of all native turtles is illegal. It is also illegal to be in possession of turtle species that are endangered, threatened, or of special concern. 

She stated that attempts to help healthy turtles by taking them from their natural habitats do not actually help turtles. We can help them most by leaving them in the wild.

Accidental Injuries: 80% to 90% of Angelina’s patients have been hit by cars, trucks, or motorcycles. We can change this by driving more slowly. We can stop to allow turtles to cross the road. We can help them cross the road; always in the direction they are going! 

Other causes of accidental injuries are lawn mowers and weed whackers, boat propellers, fishing lines, fish hooks, construction equipment, and farm equipment. 

Turtles drown in inground pools and filters. They are attacked by dogs and cats. We put turtles in danger if we let dogs run free near wetlands. Dogs will gnaw on turtle shells. “Their saliva is full of germs and can cause infections.” Turtles fall into window wells and can’t climb out. “Their nests and hibernacula may be disturbed by human activity.”

Turtles die from secondary poisoning caused by pesticides. They get diseases from lawn and garden chemicals. Angelina stated that anything that we spread on our lawns can kill turtles, even if the turtles live in forests. Pesticides can shut down a turtle’s immune function. 

She advised us to wait to mow our lawns until it is 50 degrees at night for 5 nights in a row. She said that by then “everyone who is sleeping in the ground or on plant stalks will be up and moving.” Gardening or mowing too early can kill beneficial insects. These insects play important roles in the ecosystem. They are often “early sources of food for turtles who are waking from winter.” She distributed a bookmark with suggestions for protecting turtles. One recommendation is to walk the lawn before we mow, use the highest blade setting, and stop immediately if we hear a strange noise. 

Angelina described the many ways in which rehabbers help turtles. She encouraged us to call a rehabber if we find an injured turtle. On average, 60% of injured turtles who are treated by rehabbers can be returned to their home territories. 100% of turtles who need treatment will die without it. If an egg-bearing female is dead when she is brought in to rehab, Angelina can harvest the eggs, incubate them, and release any hatchlings. Her goal is to save turtles. She can euthanize a turtle if necessary. 

Angelina suggested that we keep a box in the car in case we come upon a turtle who needs help. She gave us a short list of things to do if we find an injured turtle. 

• Always call a rehabber if you find an injured turtle.

• Note the exact address/location where you found the turtle. If the turtle recovers enough to return to the wild, the rehabber will return the turtle and any hatchlings to their original home. 

• Try to pick the turtle up gently by the shell. Never pick up a turtle by any part other than the shell. 

• Wear heavy gardening gloves. 

• Put the turtle in a clean, dry box on top of a clean paper towel or dish towel. Don’t use anything that can get into the wound.

• Do not give the turtle any food or water.

• Cover the box while you are taking the turtle to rehab. Flies can smell blood from far away. Maggots can kill a turtle more quickly than the injury can.

You can read more in a wonderful document on Angelina’s website. The document is in question-and-answer format. The answer to each question will lead you to what to do next.

The title is: I found a turtle! NOW WHAT?!. 

You can find it at: https://turtlehavenct.org/i-found-a-turtle-now-what/.