It's World Turtle Day! In recognition, we would like to honor our only local native turtle, the Western Pond Turtle. Western Pond Turtles are hardy turtles who live in fresh to brackish water throughout the Bay Area. While they are well-camouflaged when underwater, you might spot them basking in the sun on rocks and logs near streams and creeks. There are two species of Western Pond Turtles: the Northwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata) and the Southwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys pallida); the Bay Area lies at the junction of the home ranges of both species so both can be found locally. Western Pond Turtles are long-lived, with life spans reaching up to 50 to 70 years. Like most long-lived species they do not reproduce quickly. The early 20th century saw significant declines in the total population of the species, mostly due to hunting for human consumption and environmental contamination. (Because of their long life spans they are particularly susceptible to accumulation of toxins within their bodies.) WildCare rarely admits hatchling Western Pond Turtles so we were surprised to meet this baby! A hatchling's shell is softer than that of an adult turtle and this youngster unfortunately fell prey to a cat's bite. The turtle has several puncture wounds and is currently on pain medication—which has to be specially compounded because of the tiny size!—and antibiotics for the wounds. We have seen turtles heal after far more severe shell injuries than these, so we are confidently hopeful that this baby will make a full recovery. In this video, WildCare’s veterinarian, Dr. Sorem, provides basic wound care before allowing the tiny patient some time for a swim in a soufflé dish and a little exercise on the warm exam table in our Clinic. (fb)

You’ve probably noticed that at WildCare we always strive to keep wildlife wild. That means maintaining a healthy objectivity about the animals in our care—even when sharing their stories on social media! So no, we’re definitely not calling these young opossums “cute” right now. These curious joeys were just moved from an indoor enclosure to a large outdoor habitat, where they’re experiencing the smells, sounds, and sensations of nature for the very first time. This is a crucial step in their rehabilitation—they still need to “wild up,” learn to be cautious around humans, and start practicing the instincts that will help them survive once they’re released. So, how would YOU describe them without using the word “cute”? And remember: opossums are awesome! These marsupials play a vital role in their ecosystems—eating excess garden visitors like slugs, beetles, and even rodents, as well as helping with yard clean-up by munching on carrion and overripe fruit. #WildlifeRehab #OpossumAwareness #KeepWildlifeWild (fb)