Please call our wildlife hospital hotline (541-441-7193) if you have found an injured or orphaned reptile or amphibian.

Understanding Reptiles and Amphibians: When to Help

• Southern Oregon is home to many different species of reptiles and amphibians, including turtles, snakes, lizards, skinks, salamanders, frogs, and toads. Each native species fulfills a different ecological niche and is incredibly important for maintaining a healthy, balanced ecosystem. 

The Western Pond Turtle

• There is only one native species of turtle found in southern Oregon: the Western Pond Turtle. The Western Pond Turtle is part of the Oregon Conservation Strategy Species and are considered threatened in the state of Oregon. Their populations are in sharp decline due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and predation from invasive species.

I Found an Uninjured Pond Turtle Outside of the Water, What Do I Do?

• Western Pond Turtles are often found out of the water. Female pond turtles often travel away from water to lay their eggs, sometimes venturing up to half a mile and as much as 300 feet in elevation above the nearest water source. However, most nests are typically found within 300 feet of water. The female usually emerges from the water in the evening and may roam extensively before choosing a nest site, often preferring open, south-facing areas with sand or hardpan soil. Western Pond Turtles have been recorded to spend up to 200 days on land without access to water.
• If the turtle is uninjured, the best thing you can do is to leave it alone and/or put it back where it was found.

Western Pond Turtles that are obviously injured (i.e., actively bleeding, hit by a car, etc.) should be brought to Wildlife Images as soon as possible for medical care and rehabilitation during our patient intake hours, 9am-4:30pm 7 days a week. We prefer if you call ahead so we can prepare for the animal’s arrival, and to ensure that our clinic is able to provide rehabilitation services.

Injured Snakes, Lizards, and Skinks

• If you come across an injured snake, lizard, or skink (e.g., bleeding, or visibly hurt, or acting unusual), it will need medical attention and should be brought to Wildlife Images as soon as possible during our patient intake hours, 9am-4:30pm 7 days a week. We are only able to rehabilitate native non-venomous snakes, so please no rattlesnakes!
• Please call or text our Wildlife Hospital hotline at 541-441-7193 if you have species identification questions!
• We are not able to rehabilitate Red-eared Sliders, as they are an invasive species, but we can provide humane euthanasia as needed.
• We prefer if you call ahead before you bring in an injured animal so we can prepare for the animal’s arrival, and to ensure that our clinic is able to provide rehabilitation services.

Injured Frogs and Toads

• If you come across an injured frog or toad (e.g., bleeding, or visibly hurt, or acting unusual), it will need medical attention and should be brought to Wildlife Images as soon as possible during our patient intake hours, 9am-4:30pm 7 days a week. 
• Please call or text our Wildlife Hospital hotline at 541-441-7193 if you have species identification questions!
• We are not able to rehabilitate American Bullfrogs, as they are an invasive species, but we can provide humane euthanasia as needed.
• We prefer if you call ahead before you bring in an injured animal so we can prepare for the animal’s arrival, and to ensure that our clinic is able to provide rehabilitation services.