Rockalina, an eastern box turtle, has undergone a rehabilitation process after being rescued from approximately 50 years in captivity. She was recently introduced to a juvenile turtle, marking an advancement in her recovery and socialization efforts. The rescue and rehabilitation are managed by Chris Leone at Garden State Tortoise in New Jersey.
Background and Rescue
Rockalina was removed from her natural habitat in the wild during the 1970s by an individual in New York. For nearly five decades, she was kept on a linoleum kitchen floor, with her diet consisting primarily of cat food. Chris Leone retrieved Rockalina in February.
Upon her rescue, Rockalina exhibited several health issues. Her legs were entangled in cat hair, her claws were bent upwards, and she was described as weak and emaciated. Dead skin covered and obscured her eyes.
Rehabilitation Process
Over the subsequent 10 months, Rockalina's condition improved through a structured rehabilitation program. Her activities included spending time outdoors, engaging in digging behaviors, and consuming a varied diet that included worms and strawberries. Her skin's texture and coloration transitioned from a pale, rubbery state to its natural brown hue with scales, and her eyes cleared, developing a deep mahogany color.
Socialization Efforts
Recently, Rockalina was introduced to a hatchling eastern box turtle that was born at the Garden State Tortoise center. This interaction marked her first direct contact with another turtle of her species since her rescue. During the introduction, Rockalina was observed to walk with the hatchling, and they shared a strawberry. Observations also included the turtles sniffing each other.
Chris Leone stated that while turtles are not considered social in the human sense, they do form colonies and groups in their natural environments. Further socialization efforts are planned for Rockalina, with the objective of establishing a small box turtle colony for her within a captive management setting. The public has been invited to submit name suggestions for the new companion turtle.
Eastern Box Turtle Species and Conservation
Eastern box turtles are indigenous to the eastern United States, typically inhabiting ponds, meadows, and woodlands. Their species name is derived from their ability to fully enclose themselves within their shells for protection. The conservation status of eastern box turtles indicates that their populations have declined due to factors such as habitat destruction, collisions with vehicles, and collection for the pet trade.
Leone has documented Rockalina's progress on social media, where his Facebook following exceeds 1 million. The documentation of Rockalina's story has contributed to public education regarding turtles and aims to promote appreciation for wild turtles and advocate for their preservation in their natural habitats.