Where do I take my turtle?

Question

I have a turtle that seems very unhappy so my family and I are looking for a place to take our turtle in yuma arizona.We thought about taking it to the coloradp river but decided it was to dangerous.

Answer 1

If you don't want it, don't set it free. This is the worst you can do for it as it will die. My assumption is that this never was a wild turtle. If you set it free, it will not know how to survive on it's own. It doesn't know how to hunt for prey, it doesn't know how to avoid predators, it doesn't know where safe places to sleep are. It's never had to fin for itself, it's always had you there caring for it. Any where in the wild is too dangerous. Good call on the Colorado though. My guess is you've seen how fast that river is and how many large boulders there are in it (used to play in it all the time as a kid). Poor turtle would be slammed agained the rocks and this would more than likely kill it and if not, a predator would eat it more than likely (birds love turtle).

Your best bet is to find a local herp society or reptile rescue group. They take in unwanted pets and they do know what they are doing. They will find a good home for it. And in reguards to someone saying they've never seen a happy turtle, wow, that sucks. I guess I'm lucky because I see 2 every day.

Answer 2

Is this a turtle that has been in captivity for a while, or did you catch it from the wild? If it hasn't been in captivity for long, let it go in a lake, pond, or slow moving river.

If it's been a "pet" for any great length of time, which it sounds like it has been, try to find someone who can take him and properly care for him. Releasing pet turtles can be a death sentence. Not because they don't know how to survive, that's all instinct and they would do just fine in that respect. The problem is that captive turtles have essentially no immune system (it's like living in a plastic bubble). Releasing them back into a wild environment would reintroduce them to a wide range of parasites/bacteria/diseases that a normal wild turtle would be able to tolerate, but a captive turtle's body wouldn't be able to fight off.

Answer 3

Assuming this is a typical store-bought pet turtle, your options are...

1. Find a new home. Flyers in local pet shops for a 'free to good home' offer usualy work. Your local herpetological club, animal shelter, or animal rescue might be able to help as well.

2. Conditional release. Releasing it to the real wild would be bad both for the turtle and for the local wild turtle populations (germs, too much competition, fights, etc.) Instead, find a pond or very slow creek closely surrounded by people (park, golf course, etc.) to release it in- ideally, one you have seen other turtles in.

NOTE- that IS NOT my recommended option. Please try hard to find a new home first!

Answer 4

Is he domesticated, or did you or someone you know catch him from the wild? If he's domesticated, you shouldn't release him. He may not adapt well and get killed or die. Instead, search the internet and local phone book to find a rescue center, either specifically for turtles or for wild animals. Good luck!

Answer 5

i dont think ive ever seen a trurtle look "happy" but if ur sure u want to set it free, ur best bet might be a smaller pond...i dont know if a turtle can be reintroduced into the wild, if he/she will be okay. Might want to call a vet or a zoo and ask before you do it...but if so, try somewhere where their wouldn't be to many dangers, like a golf course pond or something

Answer 6

I personally have a turtle, the type that looks like it has red ears. He's happy with the other red-eared turtle, so...
BUY HIM A COMPANION TURTLE.

That's the best solution I can think of, also be sure to check with your vet that his depression isn't a health problem.