Found a Reptile or Amphibian?

Read below for help with a cold-blooded critter.

If you have found a native reptile or amphibian species that you believe to be in trouble OR you believe that they are a non-native species in an inappropriate habitat, please send a photo and brief description to our text hotline at (704) 286-6330.

To learn about snake identification, you can join this Facebook group.

To request free and humane snake relocation in and around the Charlotte, NC, area courtesy of Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, text our hotline a photo and your location, and we will field your inquiry within our volunteer network.

Have you found a snake in your YARD?

If you have found a healthy snake in your yard PLEASE leave the snake be and let the animal move on in time. Most snakes are harmless and even venomous varieties would rather go out of their way to avoid you. Bring pets inside to avoid conflict, and if needed, stomp on the ground 10 feet away from the snake to alert the snake of your presence. If you need to encourage the snake to move on, briefly spray the snake with water to deter.

Have you found an ILL or INJURED snake?

If you find a snake that is:

  • Caught by a cat or dog

  • Visibly injured

  • Lethargic

  • Covered in ants or flies

  • Swelling or has discharge from eyes or ears

Please contact us at (704) 286-6330 as soon as possible to determine further containment steps and bring the snake in for care. If we are closed, leave a voicemail and follow the Temporary Care Instructions.

    • Prepare an appropriate-sized tub or bucket with small air holes drilled into the lid. If all you have available is a box, place the box taped shut with small air holes into a pillowcase and tightly tie the pillowcase shut around the box. Make sure there is not any exposed tape because adhesive substances can be very dangerous for reptiles. DO NOT put the snake into a plastic bag.

    • Place the snake into the prepared container. For injured snakes, place the container on its side next to the snake and use a stick, broom, or rolled-up newspaper to gently push the snake into the container.

    • Do not give the snake any food or liquids. Feeding an animal an incorrect diet can result in injury or death. In addition, rescued animals can get wet from liquids and become hypothermic and/or spill food on their fur/feathers/scales, potentially causing damage.

    • Keep the snake in a warm, dark, quiet place. Darkness makes the animal feel more secure. The box can be placed half-on and half-off of a heating pad for added warmth. If the snake gets too warm, it will move to the cool side that's off the heating pad to regulate its temperature.

    • Leave the snake alone. Human noise, touch, and eye contact are very stressful to wild animals and can result in shock or even death. This is especially important in the case of injured or adult animals.

    • If an animal has been caught by a cat or dog, please text CWR immediately at (704) 286-6330. Even if wounds are not visible, the animal needs medical intervention as soon as possible.

    • Keep children and pets away. BE CAREFUL! An animal that is hurt or frightened may bite.

    • Text CWR as soon as possible!

Interested in joining our snake removal team?

Please email us at hotline@cwrescue.org if you’d like to volunteer your services. Too many snakes suffer because of inhumane relocation practices. We work hard to combat that, and you can help too!

Have you found an injured Turtle?

CWR does not have the resources to accept wild turtles for rehab. However, we do not want an animal to suffer, so please text us a photo of the injured turtle to determine if the turtle should be brought to us or another partner rehabber.

NEVER RELOCATE A TURTLE FARTHER THAN ACROSS THE ROAD Do NOT move a traveling turtle to a "more suitable place" away from where the animal was found. Turtles have very small home ranges, so moving them far away would be like dropping you in another country where you don't speak the language, you don't know where to find food or water, and you have no home or shelter! It can lead to the spread of diseases or cause the relocated turtle to cross even MORE roads as they try to make it back home.

Have you found an Otherwise INJURED or ILL turtle?

If you find a turtle of any age or species that is:

  • Caught by a cat or dog

  • Visibly injured

  • Unable to walk

  • Limping or dragging a limb

  • Lethargic

  • Covered in ants or flies

  • Swelling or has discharge from eyes or ears

  • Dragging or has a limp head or leg

  • Covered in patches yellow-ish or white-ish substance

Please use our reptile referrals to locate your nearest reptile rehabilitator.

Have you found a BABY turtle?

In the wild, turtles lay their eggs and leave, as babies are not in need of parental care. Baby turtles found alone are completely independent and not in need of help. People grow concerned because of the small size of babies and their seeming vulnerability to predators or the elements, but it’s important that humans don’t disrupt a baby simply due to size. Think twice before taking a wild turtle home as a pet! Are your children and grand-children prepared to care for the turtle? Wild turtles kept by people for more than 30 days will need to remain in captivity for their entire life, which can be over 80+ years!

Have you found a turtle attempting to CROSS A ROAD?

If you have found an uninjured turtle attempting to cross a road, move it off the road in the direction that the turtle is facing, as the turtle’s instinct is driving them to move in that direction. If you place it on the side it was coming from, it will only attempt to cross the road again. Do not attempt to assist a turtle if the road is busy or if you are in any danger from passing cars. Yes, even snapping turtles can be helped!

  • Never pull on the tail or hold the turtle solely by the tail because their spine can dislocate. Also don’t put your hands on the sides of the shells. Be sure to approach them from the back. You’ll notice ridges at the back of the turtle’s top shell, almost perfect for gripping! Place your non-dominant hand there and lift the turtle enough to slip your dominant hand underneath the turtle to support from the bottom. With both hands in place, carry the turtle across or slide the turtle on to a car mat and drag the car mat across the road. Always exercise caution around their face and be prepared for the turtle to snap or angle their neck around as you carry them.

Announcement on Bra Clasp Donations

Thank you for your interest in helping us help turtles. We have been overwhelmed with the generosity and responses and no longer need bra clasps for use in testudine shell repair. The most needed item is monetary donations. You can make a donation for the turtles below!