Dean’s Turtle Farm

06/07/2026

🐢 THE DEAN’S LIST 🐢

With over 30 species of turtles and tortoises under my care here at Dean’s Turtle Farm, I thought it would be fun to introduce my followers to a different species each Sunday.

Week 1: The Three-Toed Box Turtle

First on the list? For no particular reason other than I liked this photo I took this morning—the Three-Toed Box Turtle!

Here are some fun facts:

• They can completely close their shell to protect themselves from predators.
• Many live 50+ years, with some reaching over 100.
• Adult males often have bright red eyes.
• They are omnivores, eating insects, worms, mushrooms, fruits, and more.
• They have excellent homing instincts and can become stressed when relocated.
• Unlike colorful Eastern box turtles, adults are usually olive-brown and more subdued in color.
• They are surprisingly good climbers for a turtle.
• Missouri named the Three-Toed Box Turtle its official state reptile.
• Many captive individuals learn feeding routines and will recognize their keepers.

🐢 Native to the central United States, Three-Toed Box Turtles are one of North America’s most fascinating terrestrial turtles.

What species should make The Dean’s List next week?

06/06/2026

Love this!

06/04/2026

This Saturday!

06/04/2026

This Saturday! Buy local! Get some meat and some veggies hear some music pet a turtle fight a dragon and live your best life! (Ok maybe not the dragon part)

06/03/2026

Being an advocate for wildlife and animals also includes the ones you don’t like or think are icky.

One thing that gets harder for me to tolerate every year is hearing people casually brag about killing snakes.

This weekend, while I was volunteering my time to provide free animal education, I had multiple adults standing near one of my snakes laughing and telling stories about chopping snakes’ heads off with shovels, hoes, and other tools.

Think about that for a second.

Would you stand in front of someone’s dog and laugh about all the dogs you’ve killed?

Would you stand in front of a cat rescue and tell stories about beating stray cats to death because they wandered into your yard?

Of course not. People would be horrified.

But somehow, when the animal is a snake, we’re expected to smile politely and pretend it’s normal.

The reality is that the vast majority of snakes in our area are harmless. They’re not bothering you. They’re not chasing you. They’re not plotting your demise. They’re quietly eating rodents, helping control pests, and trying to survive in a world where humans seem determined to hate them for existing.

You don’t have to like snakes.

You don’t have to hold them.

You don’t even have to be comfortable around them.

But if your first instinct when you see a harmless wild animal is to kill it, and then laugh about it, that’s not something to be proud of.

As I get older, I find it harder and harder to listen to those conversations without speaking up. So if you catch me getting a little less patient when I hear someone bragging about killing wildlife during a program, now you know why.

Respect doesn’t have to be reserved only for the animals we find cute.

05/31/2026

🐢 Please Help Save Carroll County Outdoor School

As a lifelong Carroll County resident, Outdoor School alumnus, and wildlife educator, this issue is very important to me.

Long before Dean’s Turtle Farm existed, Carroll County Outdoor School helped foster my appreciation for wildlife, conservation, and the outdoors. For more than 50 years, it has given generations of Carroll County students the opportunity to learn, explore, and grow through hands-on experiences in nature.

On June 10, the Carroll County Board of Education is expected to vote on the future of Outdoor School. Due to financial and liability concerns, the program may be discontinued.

I understand that difficult decisions have to be made, but I also know that some experiences cannot be replicated in a classroom. Outdoor School has inspired countless students, created lifelong memories, and helped connect young people with the natural world since 1973. (Correction, outdoor has been here since 1964, first at River Valley Ranch, then at Camp Nicodemus, and at Hashawha since the fall of 1976)

As someone who now operates Dean’s Turtle Farm and spends much of my time educating children and families about wildlife and conservation, I have seen firsthand how powerful hands-on learning can be. Outdoor School helps create the next generation of environmental stewards, educators, scientists, and nature enthusiasts.

If Outdoor School had a positive impact on your life, I encourage you to respectfully share your story with the Carroll County Board of Education before the June 10 vote. Personal stories matter, and decision-makers should hear directly from the people whose lives have been touched by this program.

The next generation deserves the same opportunity many of us were fortunate enough to have.

If you attended Outdoor School, please consider sharing a favorite memory in the comments.

Pictured: My daughter and her friend at outdoor school holding a turtle given to them by me, named tiny; A severely deformed eastern box turtle, which has helped educate people about why it’s important to leave wild animals wild.

05/27/2026

🚨 FOUND AN INJURED TURTLE OR OTHER WILDLIFE? PLEASE READ 🚨

I received 4 separate calls today about injured turtles. I care deeply about these animals, but I am not a veterinarian or licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and there is often very little I can personally do for serious injuries.

If you find injured wildlife, the best thing you can do is get them to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or qualified veterinarian as quickly as possible.

I put together the resource list below for Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and DC areas with emergency vets, wildlife rehabbers, and animal rescues that may be able to help depending on the species and situation.

⬇️ Please refer to the graphic below for resources. ⬇️

Also, if you know of additional wildlife rehabbers, rescues, emergency vets, or other helpful resources, please share them in the comments with:

• Facility name
• Location
• Phone number

The goal is to build a large community resource that could help save injured wildlife when people don’t know where to turn. 🐢

05/23/2026

Happy world turtle day! We are at the Westminster ag center for the Maryland Mayhem Car And Truck Show.. Come say hi!

05/22/2026

Tomorrow! The show is going to be completely indoors, so don’t worry about the rain and come on by!

🐢🔥 WORLD TURTLE DAY MEETS MARYLAND MAYHEM! 🔥🚗

This Saturday, May 23, come see Dean’s Turtle Farm at the 4th Annual Maryland Mayhem Car & Truck Show at the Westminster Agriculture Center from 9 AM – 4 PM!

I’ll be bringing some of my live turtles and tortoises for a special hands-on experience—come meet them, learn some fun facts, and yes… you’ll even be able to touch some of them! 🐢💚

If you love cool cars, lifted trucks, reptiles, family fun, or just weirdly awesome combinations of all four, this is your kind of event. 😆

It’s also World Turtle Day, so what better way to celebrate than hanging out with some shelled celebrities?

📍 Westminster Agriculture Center
🗓 Saturday, May 23
⏰ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🚘 4th Annual Maryland Mayhem Car & Truck Show

Stop by, say hi, snap some pictures, and meet some of the stars of Dean’s Turtle Farm! 🐢🏁💨