Something to Remember Biggie By

(Through the eyes of a rehabilitator)
By Anita Peddicord
State & Federal Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator

Spring/Summer 2004 was a busy time for me rehabbing ill and injured turtles. In May I received a large beautiful 11 inch long female Red-eared Slider. She came to me through the Houston SPCA. Someone found her on a road, hit by a car. She had several fractures in her shell but the vets office that saw her felt she could be repaired. (Normally I don't name rehabs but I figured this turtle would have to be with me for a long time due to her injuries.)

After Biggie was repaired and back in my possession, she laid 9 eggs in the container that was serving as her hospital room. This was my first experience with having an injured turtle lay eggs. Caring for eggs was not my area of expertise and besides I was very busy caring for all the injured turtles that had come in. An x-ray at the vets office showed she laid them all so none were left. Wanting to give the eggs a chance at hatching and hoping they could do that without my care, I gently picked them up and found a protected place in one of my small turtle pens outside. The dirt was loose and I buried them a little. They were on their own now. I only watered the area a little if I thought they were getting too dry.

Not too many days after she laid her eggs, Biggie died. I was heartbroken because I really thought she was going to make it. She had started eating and was acting almost normal. I've been a wildlife rehabilitator a number of years and I know the rehabbing business can be unpredictable and things don't always turn out like we want. I've seen my share of animals that couldn't survive their injuries but many times it still hurts to lose them.

Weeks passed, I continued checking on the eggs, half wondering if any would hatch. Over 2 months passed and nothing happened. I was 95% sure the eggs wouldn't hatch. One morning, one week shy of 3 months since Biggie laid her eggs, I checked on them and to my surprise and delight a tiny green face stared back up at me! Oh, how thrilled I was. I carefully dug around and found 4 more green faces! I felt like a new grandmother. I now realized why people get so excited about new baby turtles. Biggie's babies were about the size of quarters and just adorable. I prepared a small container of water for four of the babies but I kept one separate. He was weak and didn't have his eyes open. Days passed and eventually all five of the babies became active and grew strong. Biggie's babies are growing and eating like pigs in their outdoor pond now. They will be released into the wild in Summer 2005. Biggie wasn't with me long but she left me something to remember her by. When I look at her five little ones I think of her and know that all my efforts are worthwhile.

Copyright (c) 2004 Gulf Coast Turtle and Tortoise Society
Permission is granted to copy for non-profit use with proper credit given. For any other use you must obtain permission.

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