Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Woodland Box Turtle

Do Not Paint (or kidnap) Turtles!

This box turtle was admitted after being found in the road with some blood on the plastron (lower part of the shell). Luckily, there were no fractures, just a small wound. When the finder went to contain this turtle, they noted blue paint on the carapace (upper shell).

Photos / Blue Ridge Wildlife Center

This paint was minimal compared to most cases that we see and it appears that much of the paint had chipped off naturally or perhaps only a little paint was applied. We were able to get the remainder off with some scrubbing and this patient has now been released!

These turtles use sunlight, which is absorbed through their shells when basking, to make vitamin D. Paint prevents this absorption. Vitamin D is important in development, growth, bone maintenance, and much more. Painting turtles non-natural colors can draw predator attention and toxic chemicals from the paint can negatively impact the turtle. The shell is made of living bone and it is part of the turtle’s skeleton.

If you need to paint, use a canvas not a living animal!

New Regulations from Virginia DWR

It is now unlawful to possess any Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Virginia’s Wildlife Action Plan (such as box turtles), to possess more than 1 native and/or naturalized non-Species of Greatest Conservation Need per address, and to collect off public lands, which includes roads and other publicly owned properties.

As it was previously lawful to have up to 5 non-threatened/endangered reptiles in possession, Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is giving those who already have native species as pets the opportunity to keep them legally by registering those animals. If you had one or more native species in your possession legally before July 1, 2021, please register them as soon as the registry is up (not yet up on DWR website).

If you are looking for a pet reptile, please look into local reptile rescues and never take from the wild. Thank you for protecting our wildlife!

Some of our turtle patients from 2021. We have already admitted over 100 turtles this year.