This has never happened to me before, and I have been living here for almost ten years! Any suggestions?
2007-02-17 13:03:34 · 24 answers · asked by =) 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
It just showed up, I never brought it home!
2007-02-17 13:24:15 · update #1
I was surprised to have the same thing happen to me! I would check with the neighbors to see if anyone knows if there are any homes with ponds or water gardens (I discovered the people across the street had one I didn't know about, and that's where it came from). I would try to keep an eye on it if you are worried about predators (or cars), but probably best to leave it alone if you can because of food needs, etc. We have a nature center in our community that is great about answering questions or taking in injured animals, so that would be your best resource if it's available in your area. Best of luck!
2007-02-17 13:31:09 · answer #1 · answered by Julie H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First identify what type of turtle. This can best be done by taking pictures and posting them on reptile forums. Second find out if the turtle is native to your area (again ask people on a forum). If it isn't, it may be someone's pet. If it is native, leave it alone. Yet, if you truly feel the turtle's in danger of getting injured, contact a wildlife control operator (phone book or search on web). These are people usually certified by the state to handle non-domestic wildlife and can give you information.
2007-02-17 14:15:06 · answer #2 · answered by Foxy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave it alone. It knows how to be a turtle better than you ^.^
If it wasn't in a safe place (I.E next to your dog or near a road) then bring it to a safe place that isn't far from the place you found it. If its a water turtle and not a box turtle, then you should see if there are any ponds in your immediate area. Bring him close to this pond if it is in the direction he was travelling. He'll probably be grateful for the armored escort :)
In any case, dont keep him. wild turtles make bad pets...
2007-02-17 14:18:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave it be and enjoy its presence. Wild turtles do not do well as pets, and they also don't take well to being relocated. If it found its way there leave it in the habitat it is accustomed to, rather than trying to find it a more "suitable" home, unless you live near a busy road or other dangerous area. If you want, try to identify the species, in the off chance that it is an exotic pet that escaped. Congrats! Consider yourself lucky that it decided to explore your yard.
2007-02-17 18:37:14 · answer #4 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave it alone, messing with wild animals, like giving it food, water, or even just moving it from it's habitat could potentionally kill the animal, it might become dependant on you feeding it or giving it water, even if you only do it once. And if you move it from its original position then it could never find it's way back to its home.
2007-02-17 13:12:20 · answer #5 · answered by Tcg_13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave it right where you found it. Turtles carry salmonella, a kind of germ that can make you deathly ill, and can kill the very young and people with suppressed immune systems. Turtles are not meant for pets!
2007-02-17 13:10:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should somehow get it out of your yard. But if possible dont touch it. Turtles especially small ones are a main carrier of Salmonella which can be very serious.
2007-02-17 13:12:33 · answer #7 · answered by delight10163 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just leave him, unless you have pets who might harm him. Don't try to take him in as a pet. They're supposed to live in the wild. If he gets too close and doesn't have anything to eat, or water, maybe take him to a field. They're pretty smart.
2007-02-17 13:10:16 · answer #8 · answered by dog lady 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a pond and let him go. Use gloves if you handle it.
Turtles are carriers of salmonella.
Besides, it's a wild animal that would prefer not to be kept as a pet.
2007-02-17 13:08:09 · answer #9 · answered by Skyhawk 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
this is a joke but it may be the answer to your question at same time:
a woman finds a turtle on her door step and picks it up, throwing it over her roof. three months go by and one day the doorbell rings. she opens the door to find the same turtle at her door, she looks down at it and he screams at her, "WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"
the moral of the story is perhaps you should have left him alone.
2007-02-17 13:14:19 · answer #10 · answered by denise_in_ohio 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋