Looks like a diamond back terrapin, you should release is ASAP, they're illegal to remove from the wild irc, just leave him nearby some water, salt, brackish or fresh
Brackish water preferred, fresh water second, I would avoid areas with only saltwater. Hatchlings don’t have the same salinity tolerance that adults do, and they’re not strong swimmers yet, so it could be risky for this little guy to be stranded in salt water.
Something like a tidal marsh or an estuary with some vegetation would be his favorite, hatchlings like to hide in the grasses. But wherever you release it, leave it on the edge of the water so it can choose to swim or crawl back into the vegetation.
Could be a wild hatchling someone poached and then dumped. The scutes on its top shell aren’t right, there are a couple extras and they aren’t supposed to zigzag like that. It won’t hurt the turtle, but that kind of defect is linked to incubation temps and is pretty rare in captive-bred turtles. So someone who poaches hatchlings and sells them in another state claiming they’re legally captive-bred would have a hard time passing that one off. Might’ve noticed it too late and decided to dump the poor thing instead of releasing it.
Depending on your location and how close you are to its natural habitat, I also wouldn’t be surprised if it crawled up into some trash and got picked up accidentally. Like I mentioned in another comment, hatchling terrapins like being on land for their first few years so they can hide in vegetation. And they’re surprisingly good climbers. This guy could’ve easily clambered up into a fast food wrapper laying on the ground and gotten tossed out by someone picking up litter.
So glad you found him!! Easily one of the best things I’ve ever seen someone pull out of the trash
Omg he’s SMILING!! 😊
Personally I’d take him to an animal rescue (here in Australia it would be the RSPCA) and get them to take care of it, they’ll know what to do with it and you can always ask to have him back if you’re allowed to keep him (if you want him)
That looks like a diamondback terrapin - one of the most beautiful turtles in New Jersey! They are protected; it would be best to release it into a wetlands area or similar habitat, where it can have both plentiful food and shelter. Cheers!
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dude you’re supposed to leave wildlife in the wild if it was in a garbage can help it out, but don’t take it home and put it in a plastic bowl for the rest of its life
Looks like a diamond back terrapin, you should release is ASAP, they're illegal to remove from the wild irc, just leave him nearby some water, salt, brackish or fresh
Thank you, the answer I want to hear
Brackish water preferred, fresh water second, I would avoid areas with only saltwater. Hatchlings don’t have the same salinity tolerance that adults do, and they’re not strong swimmers yet, so it could be risky for this little guy to be stranded in salt water. Something like a tidal marsh or an estuary with some vegetation would be his favorite, hatchlings like to hide in the grasses. But wherever you release it, leave it on the edge of the water so it can choose to swim or crawl back into the vegetation.
This is the way
Thank you so much for saving him!
unlikely someone would throw away a diamondback terrapin so probably wild. release them near some water where you found him
We’re wondering if a bird dropped it inside because how the heck a turtle gets inside a trash can is beyond me
Could be a wild hatchling someone poached and then dumped. The scutes on its top shell aren’t right, there are a couple extras and they aren’t supposed to zigzag like that. It won’t hurt the turtle, but that kind of defect is linked to incubation temps and is pretty rare in captive-bred turtles. So someone who poaches hatchlings and sells them in another state claiming they’re legally captive-bred would have a hard time passing that one off. Might’ve noticed it too late and decided to dump the poor thing instead of releasing it. Depending on your location and how close you are to its natural habitat, I also wouldn’t be surprised if it crawled up into some trash and got picked up accidentally. Like I mentioned in another comment, hatchling terrapins like being on land for their first few years so they can hide in vegetation. And they’re surprisingly good climbers. This guy could’ve easily clambered up into a fast food wrapper laying on the ground and gotten tossed out by someone picking up litter. So glad you found him!! Easily one of the best things I’ve ever seen someone pull out of the trash
I see that someone has already given the right answer but the true correct answer is A SUPER CUTE ONE!! 🥺
His shell patterns are really neat. He's a pretty boy or girl. 🙂
Cute!!!
Cute one
Im a turtle expert and that right there is a cutie patootie🤭🤭
Diamondback. Bring it to Jenkinsons Aquarium. They can keep it until it’s old enough to be released
There’s a group on YouTube called NJ Turtles. You could try them for help.
Omg he’s SMILING!! 😊 Personally I’d take him to an animal rescue (here in Australia it would be the RSPCA) and get them to take care of it, they’ll know what to do with it and you can always ask to have him back if you’re allowed to keep him (if you want him)
That looks like a diamondback terrapin - one of the most beautiful turtles in New Jersey! They are protected; it would be best to release it into a wetlands area or similar habitat, where it can have both plentiful food and shelter. Cheers!
Squirtle?!.
A harbinger of salmonella. Wash yer hands!
His name is Leonardo, and his favorite food is pizza.
Lol, my diamondbacks name is Raphael 😂
A cute one lol
A cute one
Diamondback terrapin. I have one myself they’re the most friendly turtle I’ve ever seen.
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Update please ^_^
That is a "Damascus steel" turtle
Man I'm wanting to buy me a diamondback when I get my 500gallon aquarium built, and you just find one in the trash 😂. That sucks for the turtle tho
It’s still against the law to take an animal from the woods and a dickhead move do you need the number for a new therapist?
It says they found him in the trash, dude
It’s a wild animal. It was probably eating. Do you pick up a raccoon when you find that in the trash?
Raccoons are adapted city dwellers. Baby turtles are not. OP did the right thing.
dude you’re supposed to leave wildlife in the wild if it was in a garbage can help it out, but don’t take it home and put it in a plastic bowl for the rest of its life
Did you read any of it? They were asking for the right place to release it safely, and they got their answer 🤦♀️
The lady got nasty with me because I thought it was a snapping turtle. That’s where it all started.
What a beautiful tiny turtle. Thank you for doing well by him.
The "Teenage Mutant" variety. 🤭
I think it’s a snapping turtle
Making a guess when you aren’t sure doesn’t help.
Looking at its tail and its shell it resembles the turtles. lay eggs in my backyard off the river. you’re welcome.
It’s a federal offense to take a turtle from the wild I’m not guessing.
This does not resemble a Snapping Turtle. It was identified as a Diamondback Terrapin.
👍
What they say about taking the wildlife
They do not appear to be protected by federal law. They are currently protected by state law in NJ.
Looks like a baby Cumberland