WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING ADMISSIONS FOR THESE SPECIES.
Turtles can be divided into two categories: aquatic (water) turtles and land turtles (tortoises). Land turtles have high, dome-shaped shells, while water turtles have a flatter, more streamlined shell for moving through water.
Have You Found a BABY Water Turtle?
Have you found an INJURED or ILL turtle?
If you find a turtle of any age or species that is:
- Caught by a cat or dog
- Visibly injured
- Unable to walk
- Limping or dragging a limb
- Lethargic
- Covered in ants or flies
- Swelling or has discharge from eyes or ears
- Dragging or has a limp head or leg
- Covered in patches of yellowish or whiteish substance
Please follow the Temporary Care Instructions below.
Have You Found a LAND TURTLE/TORTOISE?
Most found land turtles are pets that have been released and will not survive in the wild on their own. If you find a land turtle, try reaching out to domestic shelters for turtle rehoming placement.
Have You Found a Turtle Attempting to CROSS A ROAD?
If you have found an uninjured water turtle attempting to cross a road, move it off the road in the direction that the turtle is facing, as the turtle’s instinct is driving them to move in that direction. If you place it on the side it was coming from, it will only attempt to cross the road again. Do not attempt to assist a turtle if the road is busy or if you are in any danger from passing cars. We do not recommend handling snapping turtles as they are dangerous.
Temporary Care Instructions for Reptiles:
- Houston Humane Society recommends that you wear gloves or use a cloth barrier when handling all wildlife.
- Prepare an appropriate-sized cardboard box by poking air holes in the top and placing a soft cloth (T-shirt, towel, paper towels) in the bottom. DO NOT put the reptile into a plastic bag.
- Place the reptile into the prepared box and tape the box shut. For injured adults, place the box on its side next to the animal and use a stick, broom, or rolled-up newspaper to gently push or guide them into the box.
- Do not give any animal any food or liquids. Feeding an animal an incorrect diet can result in injury or death. In addition, rescued animals can get wet from liquids and become hypothermic and/or spill food on their fur/feathers, potentially causing damage.
- Keep the reptile in a warm, dark, quiet place. Darkness makes the animal feel more secure. Boxes with reptiles can be placed half on and half off a heating pad set on low. If the animal gets too warm, it will move to the other end of the box.
- Leave the animal alone. Human noise, touch, and eye contact are very stressful to wild animals and can result in shock or even death. This is especially important in the case of injured or adult animals.
- Keep children and pets away. BE CAREFUL! An animal that is hurt or frightened may bite.
- Use the website ahnow.org to find a licensed rehabilitator in your area, and contact them for next steps. Most rehabilitators may have you leave a voicemail before calling back.
General Information About Turtles in the Houston Area
Turtles are reptiles, meaning they are "cold-blooded" air-breathing vertebrates. They have tough, leathery skin covering their body. The shell has two distinct parts: the carapace, or top, and the plastron, or underside. The scales covering the entirety of the shell are known as scutes. Texas has over 20 species of turtles. Some of the most common species Houston Humane Society sees each year are red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), three-toed box turtles (Terrapene mexicana triunguis), and common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina).
Most female turtles in Texas can lay up to three clutches of eggs per year and the nesting season can last from March to August, causing the eggs to hatch from mid to late summer. Mother turtles lay their eggs and leave, as babies are completely independent at birth and not in need of parental care. Turtles are amazing creatures with long lifespans. Some can live for 50 years or more.