PORTLAND, Maine — Andrew Desjardins is the owner and operator of Mr. Drew and His Animals Too in Lewiston. It’s an educational and rehabilitation center for reptiles. Many of the native Maine animals at the center come to Mr. Drew injured. He also takes in non-native animals that people own as pets and can no longer care for.
On this visit, Mr. Drew brought cave cockroaches, a red tego lizard, and a box turtle. He mentioned a hole in the turtle's shell and said he had seen lots of turtles with a similar hole.
Mr. Drew said that many people will get the turtles as pets and want to bring them outside. Worried about them wandering off, people will drill a hole in the shell to attach a leash. He said lots of people have the perception that turtles can’t feel any pain in their shells, but he said that’s a myth and they can feel it.
To learn more learn more about the animals, watch the full 207 segment.