lost red eared slider turtle?

Question

Our 4-5 inch red eared slider turtle got out of its aquarium last night. We have looked everywhere, is it possible that our dog ate it, shell and all?

Answer 1

I doubt that your dog ate the turtle, however, I am suprised that your turtle got out of it's aquarium. It should be at least 50 gallons (ten gallons per inch of shell) and if you had a top it should have 1/2 inch holes so the UVB would not be blocked out..nor should there have been glass.

What you can do is put several water dishes around the house and in some put some turtle pellets. Make sure they are warm and put your dog outside. Try putting something smelly like tuna in water out (don't feed this, just use it as a rescue mechanism)...they will go anywhere and can last for over a week so don't give up. They can hide behind the fridge, behind and under furniture as well.

Good link http://www.redearslider.com/lost_turtle.html

Answer 2

The dog wouldn't have been able to crack the shell. Turtle shells are very hard to crack. Try putting the dog outside, and setting turtle food on the floor. Maybe it will come to you!!!!
Good Luck!

Answer 3

this has happened to me before also. My reeves turtle was quite the little lemming when i had him in a regular tank. He'd climb atop my yellow belly and jump right out. They are good hiders, so def. check under and behind everything you can think of. My Reeve's turtle is a master at hiding...even hid under a pile of stuffed animals on the floor without even disturbing them, so it did not seem at all from the surface that he was under there! Good luck in finding your turt!

Answer 4

I am surprized that the dog isn't taking you to the turtle. My dog sniffs at the turtles I have all the time. Sit silently and listen for scratching and thumping of the shell htting the floor...Hope you find the little guy!!!!

Answer 5

It will be in a small, dark, snug place- probably near the tank.

The thing that usually scares me is the possibility it is in something like a pile of papers to be recycled, or a pile of laundry to be washed, etc.

Answer 6

not likely because the dog would have to bite down really hard to crack the shell. and if he/she did that there would be shell pieces everywhere. keep searching.this happened to me before and i know the like tight places so check like behind couches and washers and dryers.

Answer 7

your dog could of ate it but other than that it should be near the tank a nice relaxing dark place. i have had my experience