Is it a good idea to raise a hatchling turtle and then release it into the wild when it reaches adulthood?

Question

I was given 2 hatchling red ear sliders as a gift and I've been taking care of them since then. Now, their shells are about 5 in. in length and taking care of them has become very difficult. Would it be bad for the turtles to be released into a nearby lake or pond?

Answer 1

First, usually turtles outlive their original owners (or have very long life). If someone told you about this before, or if you bought the turtles at your own will (and they weren't a gift) you shouldn't even be asking this but thinking about changing the way you live your life (letting things go instead of taking responsibility seems to be a trend nowadays, you can't go on living your life leaving whatever whenever it gets difficult). People should realize that before or when committing to a pet.

Second, besides the obvious and quite plausible ecological hazard, it's most likely that your turtles will die sooner than later. They don't know their predators or to hunt for their food in wildlife (remember these animals are carnivores), so it's very likely that they will starve to death or get eaten by something else. Also, most domestic turtles have their biological clock severely altered, and don't know when to hibernate (or how to prepare for it), and most domestic turtles that leave home die buried under the ground on their own attempts to hibernate.

I've had 2 red ear sliders for around 10 years now, and they are as big as you describe yours. On those years I've already developed a system that would allow me to take care of them without much hassle (and i live in an apartment, so i have some space restrictions), i figure you would have too by now but it seems you haven't. I can give a few pointers on that one.

Food is usually not a big problem, you can make it part of your daily routine, feeding them just once a day before going to school/work.
The most troublesome thing I've encountered is cleaning the tank. For this you might want to invest some money in some accessories that will help you in that process (although it's expensive, not difference to any other pet, though, it's worthy).
For one, buying a bigger tank will allow the turtles more freedom, but it takes longer to get to the point you have to change the water. Also, buying water pumps and filters to maintain the water helps a lot (also, a water pump could help you get the water out of the tank, if the tank is too big to move). These accessories could change the cleaning task frequency from a few days to a couple of weeks, which isn't bad at all.

If everything else fail, try to look for a local rescue center. Hopefully one specialized in reptiles/amphibians.

Answer 2

Tort changed name to kevinmccrty, whoever you are, here you go....

All this wonderful captive hatching of sea turtles in the carribean, etc, where they hatch the eggs, grow out the hatchlings to a certain size, keep half of them and let the other half go to appease the "environmentalists" and still feed the people... It's a wonderful idea, that idea is that "ok, we grow out these turtles to the size that most of their predators can't eat them anymore, tag them, let them go, and it exponentially increases survial rates!!!"

Sounds good doesn't it?

This has been going on for about 20 years.

Guess how many of these tagged turtles have been found either nesting or out in the water by scuba divers, etc?

Guess, guess.

None.

Not a one.

Answer 3

ok, I understand every ones response to letting the turtles go, but has anyone studied this? Has anyone put a device to track the turtle after release to see if in fact it dies or survives? Does everyone just assume the turtle can't live on its own from other studies of other animals? How do you know? If someone knows of a legitimate study please show me the results as I would be very interested in reading.

Answer 4

NO, it is a very bad idea to release the turtles--even if it is a native species to your area it could carry pathogens into the native population that could make native turtles sick. Try to find a reptile rescue in your area that may be able to help you place the turtles but RES are very hard to place because there are so many that are unwanted.

Answer 5

Not a good idea. We generally do not recommend releases after about 8 months in captivity, or more than about a mile from their original home.

The problem is that they have no more knowledge of the wild conditions- cannot find shelter, hibernation sites, or avoid predation. they will not mate well, find good territory, etc.

Whenever possible in this situation, it is best to find someone else to take the animals- try a flyer at the local pet shop.

Answer 6

or you'll be able to desire to take a minute or 2 and seem on line to work out in case you will discover any turtle rescue agencies around the place you reside. you'll be able to additionally try contacting your state branch of organic international & fisheries, tell them approximately your turtle and ask them to intervene. different places which would be waiting to furnish you help looking your turtle yet another foster abode or in step with danger a consistently house is your interior of reach animal shelter, your interior of reach ASPCA, or perhaps puppy shops like PetCo. in case you care approximately this animal please a minimum of attempt to discover it a house previously you launch it into the wild to stand what's going to very very nearly truly be a sluggish, agonizing death by skill of starvation. Turtles commonly have a community of a million-2 sq. miles that's "their" territory. to your turtle to have any danger in any respect at survival upon being released into the wild, you are able to might desire to be prepared to take it to the proper region the place it replace into stumbled on and faraway from the wild and launch it there. Turtles have very particular desires so some distance as habitat and foodstuff plan, they very nearly never stay whilst human beings eliminate them from the wild and then launch them someplace else. do no longer launch your turtle into the wild. call around for help, attempt to discover him a house. Adoption may be the humane and loving ingredient to do. freeing him into the wild is very very nearly truly a death sentence.

Answer 7

i wouldnt! they dont have any experience at surviving in nature, and the dangers that can come about, and its a totally different area. they prob. woulndt survive. if you want to get raid of them, ask everyone you know....

Answer 8

the answer is NO thy wont know how to fend for them self and probably die