How can you catch a box turtle from a pond?

Question

Answerers really assume a lot (and always negatively - why??) online! This is my pet turtle which got away during a "field trip" to the outdoors. It's my turtle and my pond. It's not "out in the wild" etc etc.

Answer 1

lol. Yea, look at how fast everyone is to jump in and say to leave the poor animals alone and that it is illegal. They are ANIMALS which when properly taken care of can provide
a mutually beneficial relationship to both the human and their pet. I personally think turtles are kind of boring but to each his own.

On to your question...ummm...box turtles are land turtles and don't like being submerged in the water. I don't even think they can swim. Are you sure it was a box turtle that you had that escaped? I used to catch turtles in the pond near my house as a child with crab traps and pieces of hot dog. Painted turtles, snapping turtles and red-eared sliders all would go into my trap to eat the hot dog and I would wait about 15 minutes and then yank it up. You might not catch your turtle but another one would work just as good, right?

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How can you catch a box turtle from a pond?

Answer 3

One, if you have a box turtle in a pond, it is probably not a box turtle.

Two, if it is than you are going to want to catch it fast because they are not good swimmers, and move it to a wooded area.

I would use a cast net or a floating have-a-heart trap. Other than that all you can do is wait for it to wonder up onto land and get between it and the water so that it can't make an escape.

Please don't take in wild animals, if you want to see it up close that is one thing, but just look at it and then let it go. That way you don't get fined and the animal doesn't suffer.

Good Luck

Answer 4

You shouldn't have to "catch" him/her from the pond. Box turtles live on land. It should come out of the water before too long, and will probably hide under some bushes, or on a sunny day soak in the sun. If nothing else, offer it some food, or if it is aggressive....get a large mirror and let it see itself. It should attack its reflection. My Sparky box turtle does.

Answer 5

Box turtles are not aquatic and can not be found in ponds. If you want an aquatic turtles, you can find Red ear Sliders in most pet stores. They are born in captivity and stand a better chance of surviving than you catching one in the wild. A lot of reptiles have a very difficult time adjusting to new living conditions. Wild turtles should be left alone unless their survival is threatened, and then they should be re-released, not kept in captivity. Their ecosystems are fragile enough without further interference from mankind.

Answer 6

Try a net. if you are not quick with a net then try setting a cage trap.
Also despite what the first answer posted said, it is NOT illeagal to catch wild animals, unless they are on the endangered list.

Answer 7

I wouldn't do it. It's illegal and dangerous for you and the turtle. They've been known to carry diseases you know...If you dont want to listen to me, then just lure it towards you with some food and catch it with a net.

Answer 8

You complain that we assumed a lot, but you really did not provide any key information.

Is there a reason you cannot just wade in and grab it? If you cannot, then use a net.

Answer 9

Please don't do it. In most, if not all, states it is illegal to take animals from their habitat. The reason is NOT to protect you - but to protect the poor animal! I hope the reason you are asking is not so you can amuse yourself with a 'pet.'