Dedicated to the conservation and care of turtles and tortoises.
MATTS Gallery
Videos begin after the Photo Slide Show. Scroll through for videos on different topics. They may contain music if you need to turn your volume off or down. If at all possible the first video should be watched with sound. Enjoy!
This slideshow contains images submitted by MATTS Members!
This is an eastern box turtle with a pharyngostomy tube. A pharyngostomy tube is inserted by an experienced veterinarian while the turlte is under anesthesia. It's used when a turtle is unable to eat due to an extended illness or injury, such as when the jaw is broken if the turtle has been hit by a car. A liquid slurry (food) is added via a syringe at the broad end of the tube (where the white cap is located), and the tube extends into the stomach. It's much easier and less stressful than trying to force feed a turtle. When the turtle is well enough to eat on his own, he can eat if he wants to even if the tube is still there, as in this video. The tube will be removed during an office visit at the vet clinic.
Species
Filmed December 26, 2011, in the reptile house at the Cape May Zoo in New Jersey. Why are the shortnecked turtles (Emydura subglobosa) called shortnecks when they obviously have long necks? Because they have shorter necks than the snakenecked turtles (Chelodina species in the tank) - that's the way it works in Australia and New Zealand.
A few that we have or have had available for adoption
Mickey is a 23 year old male red-eared slider turtle currently for adoption from the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society. He could still have another 10-20 years left in him! He's used to living in a 55 gallon tank, but really should have at least a 75 gallon or larger tank. He eats Reptomin and Mazuri turtle pellets as well as greens and lettuces, and enjoys a treat of plain cooked chicken. Visit http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/matts.html if you'd like to adopt Mickey or another turtle. He's currently in foster care in the Baltimore area.
This is Rocky, an adult male eastern painted turtle. He's going after a piece of Mazuri crocodile chow, which can be used as part of a diet for larger turtles, and can be ordered from any Purina dealer. Rocky is in a temporary 10 gallon tank - his permanent home will be much larger (at least a 40 gallon enclosure). He'll get a larger basking platform, too. He was adopted from www.matts.petfinder.com
An African sulcata tortoise doing what they do best - eating! This 10" baby named Chekov was adopted through Petfinder.com and the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society. Keep in mind that sulcatas can grow to be over 100 lbs and they do NOT hibernate! They eat like cows - lots of grass and weeds and hay. Southern and southwestern homes are best for these cows with shells. If you'd like to learn more about these tortoises, visit the Sulcata Station at http://www.sulcata-station.org/ There are sulcatas for adoption from many reptile rescues. Visit www.petfinder.com to see if there's one for adoption in your area.
A juvenile pink-bellied short-necked turtle, Emydura subglobosa. This turtle was on temporary display - that's not it's permanent home. He was adopted from the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society near Baltimore. If you'd like to adopt a turtle, visit www.Petfinder.com or www.anapsid.org to find a rescue near you.
