Found Itty.

Found Itty.  I brushed him off just enough that he could feel the sun on his shell.  He's outside with food, sun, shelter, and a very shallow plate of water.  I'm hoping that makes him feel wonderful.  🙂

Itty seems to be enjoying his bath!

Itty seems to be enjoying his bath!  He's not trying to get out - just chilling against the side.  Why not?  🙂

Is it just me or does Itty Bitty look a little perkier this evening?

Is it just me or does Itty Bitty look a little perkier this evening?

He spent all day outside in the sun and fresh air.  Looks like his dirt dried out so I'm going to fix that right now.  Shadow didn't have school today so he checked on him for me off and on and Itty was up walking and checking things out at least once when he went out there.  So, that's much better than being lethargic.  He still looks pitiful, but turtles are notorious for being slow at EVERYTHING - even healing so he's gonna take some time.  But that's ok - I have patience.  🙂

Itty bitty box turtle...

Itty bitty box turtle must have buried himself last night.  I can't see him anywhere in his house.

This is the sad little face of an animal who has not been properly cared for. 🙁

TRIGGER WARNING:  Animal Neglect

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This is the sad little face of an animal who has not been properly cared for.  🙁

This little box turtle came to me today from my friend who works in a pet store.  Some dude had been asking for months, (it seems like, anyway), for her to take some turtles from him.  She finally relented and when she picked them up this past weekend they were in less than stellar shape.

This guy, along with 2 other box turtles and a red foot tortoise, had all been living in a 75 gallon tank together.  That is very much NOT ok for a few different reasons.

His shell is so soft on the underneath that you can dent it with your finger.  His nails are clearly overgrown, and some are completely missing, leading me to believe they probably broke off down in the quick from being so long.  His beak is also overgrown, and his (or her - not even the vet could tell) tail seems to be partially missing or disfigured.

My friend took him to see Dr. Atlas today and he thinks that with proper care, lighting, and nutrition, he will be ok.  I really hope so, but I gotta say - I put him in his new home 2 hours ago and he hasn't moved once.  He is the definition of pitiful right now.  🙁

The reason I am posting him in my rehab album is because he very well might be native to here (we are not sure yet, but better safe than sorry), in which case I shouldn't have him without a permit.  But I have no intentions of dealing with conservation so that's why I'm not posting him for all the world to see.

Anyway, send this little dude all the good vibes.  I'm about to stick him in a warm bath and see if that perks him up some.

I also have the red foot, but I'll post pics of him later.  I was planning to just foster him, but Shadow (much to my surprise) seems to want to keep him.  We'll see.