Shell Game

Patty’s shell (carapace) is finally starting to show some signs of healing but remains unprotected by the hard surface we associate with the shells of turtles on much of its surface. This protective outer layer of keratin (the same material that makes up or hair) will have to form after some more healing, but Patty is visual and using her hind legs with good strength and does not appear to have suffered any long term neurological effects of the damage caused by being caught above ground and frozen early this past spring.  Patty still has a long way to go but a release next spring is our goal.