Another day, another terrapin...a wounded one!

A coven of crows caught my attention this morning. Most were lined up like fence posts along the top of a split rail fence along the property line. They were making a hell of a racket as crows tend to do but there was a drama accompanying the noise so I surveyed the situation for information. The crows were diving down and hitting a rock. The rock moved and I realized it wasn't a rock, not to mention there probably isn't a rock within fifty miles of here that wasn't placed there by man. Anyway, it moved, I reconsidered and came to the realization that it must be one of my turtle residents being hounded by the crows.  I walked over and sure enough, the crows were beating on a new visitor, a mud covered Diamondback terrapin who was cruising rather quickly across the field. Thinking that they would not be picking on a healthy critter I took a closer look and saw that the turtle had a hook through its mouth and it couldn't close its mouth completely.  That meant one thing...it was time for surgery. It had to be quick surgery, and living 25 miles out in the middle of nowhere I had to find a local surgeon fast. Thankfully we do have cell service, and I did have my phone, so I called in the best surgeon I know...Mr.! Unlike the regular Mr, who does things in his own timeframe, which doesn't usually coincide with mine, today he seemed to understand the desperation of the situation and jumped into the fray by hopping out of the house within a minute complete with the surgery tools of two pair of pliers. Very impressive and selfless I must say.

Rising to the ocassion, and much to the surprise of the reticent patient, surgery began immediately. In consideration of my not being the patient, I must say that it seemed to go relatively painlessly and fast. Sort of like going to the dentist for a tooth cleaning, not painful, just awkward and uncomfortable. Mrs. Terrapin has had the dentist experience. I trust it will make a bigger ripple in her life than a tooth cleaning does for humans, for now she should be able to hunt and eat unencumbered.  A bit of a stretched neck, some pulling, a snap of the wire cutting pliers and voila! the hook imbedded in the turtle's mouth was gone. It definitely took some wrestling to free her, but it went flawlessly. Doctor, nurse and patient doing fine. The patient did so fine, that she couldn't run back to the bay fast enough. I think her inner voice was repeating a mantra that went something like "gotta get out of here! gotta get out of here!" so she did. She is an impressive runner, if you can call turtle movement running...trust me in this case she was running! An interesting way to start the day. You just never know what is going to develop at Shore Side Farm House, it is a constant wonder. Lets hope the house continues to stand!

Mr. is removing the bottom half of the hook from her jaw. It had pierced the bottom jaw skin, and went right through the mouth and back out to the outside under her chin. Imagine a terrapin with a lip ring...quite the modern look for an ancient creature....creepy!

You can see the mark left by the hook rubbing on her lower left lip. The hook had been in there for quite some time because it was rusted and as you can see, it scarred her lips.

I did take some video, and I will eventally post it on here or on U Tube for all to see. She was a good patient, not too adverse, and very happy when surgery was over.