I rescued a turtle that was in the middle of the street and have had it around 5 months, is it too late to release him back to a creek or river? He is only about two or three inches in size. Will he still know how to live on his own?
2007-07-10 03:47:17 · 10 answers · asked by ~Lizzy~ 3 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Certainly. His instincts will guide him the second he slides into that lake. I also found a baby RES several years ago and kept him for about 3 years until I thought he was getting too big for his tank, and we couldnt afford to get a monstrous tank and all the accessories for it, plus we wouldnt have had anywhere to put it. I put him in a private lake that was owned by the apartments that my friend stayed at. He swam right into that lake and looked so happy and knew just what to do.
2007-07-10 10:20:37 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Animal rehabbers have a rule of thumb of no more than 8 months, no more than a mile from home.
I like these guidelines- for pros. For most of us, the turtle picks up infections from us, comes to depend on us for food, etc. I prefer that the average person not keep a wild turtle for more than a couple weeks if it is going to be released again.
There is not an absolute answer to this, but there are a lot of opinions. I think you'll be OK, but I'd rather see you try to make it or find it a good captive home at this point.
If you DO relase it- remember that RES prefer still or slow-moving water.
If I may be blunt- a turtle RESCUE is moving it from a dangerous situation to a safe situation so it can continue its life. Taking an animal from the wild is more like a kidnapping. It is a very stressful thing to do to the turtle.
I appreciate the desire to help, and the human characteristics of curiosity and pet-keeping, but I think we need to teach our kids that wild animals are not pets.
2007-07-10 09:12:44 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Zoo keeper is conscious ultimate. many human beings get pets without doing sufficient analyze & then whilst they get to special or some thing they only launch them into the wild, yet that's no longer sturdy. case in point, the place i'm from the crimson-Earred slider is a turtle frequently offered in puppy shops, they begin small, yet they strengthen relatively great & they are no longer an area species. i could propose giving your turtles to a shield, you are able to look one up that makes a speciality of reptiles. Turtles stay a protracted time, so somebody can undertake them. And please do purely somewhat greater analyze next time in the previous getting a puppy.
2016-10-01 07:22:51 · answer #3 · answered by saulsbery 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is actually not good to take turtle from the wild but you still cannot release him into the wild. He has depended on you for food and more and now has possibly lost his survival instincts. He may also be more susceptible to diseases too. I would say 2.5 weeks tops then it isn't safe to release them into the wild.
Your options include Craigslist-you can put in your area and say you are giving away a free turtle and whatever supplies you have. You should warn though that they are expensive and require hundreds of dollars.
Give it to a friend, however, again warn of the cost.
Visit adoption agencies like http://www.turtlehomes.org
Check out this link for more options http://www.redearslider.com/releasing_turtles.html
http://www.redearslider.com/links_adoptions_rescues.html
Good luck.
2007-07-10 04:23:34 · answer #4 · answered by Adam 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i bought a turtle about two years ago and also contemplate how well he would do in the wild. I think it should be fine putting him back into the wild, my turtles always been in capitivity and i feel he would be able to survive on his own. as long as it's not showing sure signs of relying on you to feed it an take care of it.
2007-07-10 03:56:48 · answer #5 · answered by smile182 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, without doubt. He was born in nature. It was good that you rescued him/her. BTW long claws in the front mean a boy,
girls turtles claws are all the same in length.
Find a nearby pond (if she.he is aquatic). You can monitor
her progress.
2007-07-10 03:52:47 · answer #6 · answered by Ahab 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be okay but don't put it in a river. Just put it near (not in) a small stream. You could call a vet or zoo and ask them the same quesiton.
2007-07-10 03:50:47 · answer #7 · answered by Yinzer from Sixburgh 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the age that turtle was it is very easy for it to imprint upon his behavior so... no, don't put it back
2007-07-10 07:55:28 · answer #8 · answered by insanedarkjedi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You found a turtle
As you do :S :P
maybe you should take it to a rescue centre
orr keep it and call it rupert :)
rupert the turtle - has a slight catch :)
Mr IP
2007-07-10 06:48:41 · answer #9 · answered by Mr IP 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No!!! Don't get rid of POOPIE!
2007-07-10 09:34:20 · answer #10 · answered by baumbaum23 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋