We are trying to find its owners but in the meantime (or if no one claims it) I'd like to know how to care for it. Is there a way to know if its a swimmer or a dirt turtle? what sort of food can I feed it? what sort of habitat should I let it live in? If it helps identify the type of turtle I'm in SoCal (but it could always be imported)
2006-09-07 12:12:36 · 12 answers · asked by spiffo 3 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
well I dont think it is wild as there aren't TOO many wild turtles in southern california. and our backyard leads to a swampish area and adjacent to our house so it could get lost and then it's be a shame if it hs an owner. o I"ll ty to build him a little fence or something real quick...
2006-09-07 12:22:50 · update #1
i is probably wild not owned by anyone ....the main way to tell the diff. between water or land turtle is... water ones have a more flat shell and webbed feet(look like they can go fast in water) ....land one have real dome/deep shells and they nonwebbed feet....if you want to take it out of the wild and keep it in captivity ..ok..the land ones are easier to care for ...they need a water bowl and fresh greens and veggies NOT iceburg lettuce and should be "soaked" at least weekly in enough water to cover about 1/4 up their bodys (helps them go poo)....and they also enjoy meal worms and crickets..they also need the correct light to help them digest thier food (like most reptiles)they need a "basking" light made for reptiles and a full spectrum florecent light ...the bigger the inclosure the better...water ones need enough water to swim in and land to get out of the water as needed.....they eat aquatic turtle food and really enjoy live fish to eat too....the water needs a under water filter and should be cleaned at least weekly...and they also need the same light setup....their are soft shells too...their shells are rubbery and they have long necks and their noses are pointy so they an stay under water and breath still ...i have a soft shell..she lives in my outside pond and in the winter she gose somewhere and summer she stayes in the water...waiting for a snack :)
2006-09-07 12:35:48 · answer #1 · answered by Bekah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Swampy areas in Southern California are FULL of turtles! The odds are it was wild.
You can check the gallery at http://www.tortoise.org for ideas, and to find a local chapter of the California Turtle and Tortoise Club (who sponser the site) that can help as well.
Swimmer or dirt? Are the hind feet webbed?
As for the rest- gotta ID it before you can feed it, etc. The above site has care sheets as well.
2006-09-07 16:51:19 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, you don't know what kind of terrain a turtle lives in? No offense meant there, I'm an animal lover so I kind of know a lot about all animals. Let's see turtles:
I'd first put it in a big fish tank, half of it filled with water the other half a place where he can climb up and be out of the water. I've had a snapping turtle for awhile (saved him from a guy that was gonna kill him, recently just put him out in the creek to be free).
What to feed him? See if he likes normal minnows. Snap-it (snapping turtle) liked to eat both pellets from the store and minnows, so I tried to keep him on a balance of both. It's hard to tell where a turtle comes from if you just found him, but to identify what type he is I suggest either going to the library and finding pictures of him/her, or heading over to the vets office. Otherwise head over to a pet shop and ask for a book on turtles.
2006-09-07 12:17:12 · answer #3 · answered by winds_of_justice 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi. can you please send me a pic. If it is a desert tortiouse, They are endangered species but ppl get them from the desert. I could give you a WEALTH of information on how to care for them. They are great..
Take a look at this link and see if he looks like this.
http://www.chelonia.org/gopherusagasiziiw.jpg
Then send me a message or something. I would love to help!
Until you determine what kind of turtle it is dont put it in water as tortiouse do not live in water!!! lets figure out what it is first.
A turtle would live in water and eat fish and stuff whereas a tortiouse would live on land in a desert climate and is herbivorous. I owned one for 10 years until i moved out of souther cali, and now he stays in a friends backyard
2006-09-07 12:18:55 · answer #4 · answered by serpy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most likely it's a tortise. If it is, they're capable to survive in warmer areas. Put it in your yard and maybe a card board box upside down to provide shelter (temporary or course!). Just provide a dish of water and veggies while you try to locate the owner, call your local SPCA for help I'm sure they're more than willing to help the poor guy....
2006-09-07 12:17:23 · answer #5 · answered by REEMPIRE888 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have found turtles before.. in the past.. Contact the vet as to which organizations takes in turtles.. almost every city/town has an organization that takes in turtles.
2006-09-07 13:54:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank goodness for "gimmee". this is spectacular how little human beings be attentive to approximately turtles. field turtles (in the u . s . a .) are terrestrial and water a million" deep is all they desire. till you be attentive to adequate to establish a breeding colony of them, launch it the place you discovered it. BTW, they consume notably lots what you do, slugs, snails, earthworms, uncooked liver, and dark green vegetables.
2016-10-14 10:41:23 · answer #7 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it has a pointy beak it might be a water turtle, try feeding it lettuce. Do a google image search to find what exact type it is.
2006-09-07 12:28:50 · answer #8 · answered by igɳo★ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Swimming or dirt turtle? easy... just give it both! an area with dirt and also an area with swimming water next to him/her. good luck:)
2006-09-08 03:13:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, i had a pet turtle before, i love this animal, i had it before a long time and i guess one of the food i was giving it was cabbage.
2006-09-07 12:20:24 · answer #10 · answered by Laith Attar 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋