How do I find my missing Turtle in a backyard full of grass??

Question

I was wondering if anyone could help.
During the day, I usually take my two baby turtles out to bask in the sun. I keep my eyes on them and usually have no problems. Last week, I took them out and turned my attention to my son for a few minutes; when I looked back I couldn't find one of them. It's been 6 days and I haven't been able to find her. I've looked everywhere:raked the grass, crawled on my knees and nothing.
Does anyone know how long a turtle can survive without food/water? I've been wetting the grass often, since it's been sunny and yesterday and today it's been raining.
Is there anything I can do or use to get her to come out of hiding?

I have hope that DanDan (that's the name my son gave it) is still alive. I look everyday in hope that I find her. She was the timid and shy one...she usually doesn't go far.
Please, if anyone can suggest anything I'd greatly appreciate it.

Yes, it's a red-eared slider

Answer 1

Get a plastic sweater box and put some really strong - smelling food in it ( like sardines) Use a board as a ramp to the box,and the little turtle might smell the food,climb up the ramp and fall into the box.Or,you can dig a hole,put a bucket in it,flush with the ground,and bait it.and the turtle may fall into the bucket.Also,leave shallow water pans and small dishes of food sitting in different areas of your yard.Ask neighbors if you can bait their yards. This may help,but I lost two of my box turtles two years ago,when they got out of their enclosure somehow.One was found just across the street,killed by a car,and the other one was never found.On the other hand,I had one missing for 10 days once,and one day,there he was,just sitting there,eating slugs! Good luck,and next time,use a wading pool with a little water and some rocks and logs for them to bask on.That way,they won't get out.

Oh,and the dog idea is great.My Beagle once found one of my turtles.I had looked all over the enclosure and even dug it up,but I was sure he was gone.Then my Beagle,Otis came out and started digging in one corner of the enclosure like crazy,and there was the turtle,buried down about a foot and a half!

Answer 2

Where To Find A Turtle

Answer 3

I have teo turtles and do this as well, I had this problem once too and was lucky enough to find them. Contrary to popular belief, turtles can actually move pretty fast and find ways to get out of fenced areas. DanDan is probably gone and may be dead if he ran into the road. May I suggest you purchase a small plastic pool (about $9 at walmart or petsmart) and place your turtles there when taken out to bask. good luck

Answer 4

ohhhhh a fellow turtle lover! =) I have two baby turtles too. I've lost one of them in the yard a few times. They like digging in a lot. Mine likes to find corners and stuff. I really hope you find it. They are the most wonderful pets.

PS. There is a dog (I can't remember what kind but any dog might work especially a hunting dog.) if you put it in your garden it might go right to the turtle because it will be a new smell. That's how I found mine once.

Answer 5

Lure it to a deep enough box it can't get back out with the smell of tuna and put a way up to the box but no way to get back out. Set these little traps all over your yard and keep your dogs and cats away for one they will eat your bait and two they will scare the turtle and three they might hurt the turtle.. This trick works

Answer 6

There really isn't a magical way of getting her to return. There is a slim chance she may stumble into view at some point, but it's mostly up to you to search for her. Depending on what species she is, look to where you think she would be attracted to most. Or what's closest to her natural habitat or tank. And are you possitive you could not have escaped outside the backyard? Or eved dug a shallow hole for herself? Good luck.

Answer 7

First I thought maybe you could borrow an infra-red camera, if you could get your hands on one. If he didn't dig a hole, how about pulling a string taught between two people, and swiping it across the grass in rows. Perhaps it would catch the turtle as a bump. How about borrowing a police bloodhound? Sounds silly, but maybe you know someone.

Answer 8

Well was it a Red-Eared Slider? Or Boxer because boxers tend to dig holes under the ground. That's how mine got away. It dug a hole under the fence and ran away.

Answer 9

appreciate all of the input and sorry I lost my pet turtle routinely I took him out but sensed that he wanted to escape does that tell me that one should not have a turtle kept in captivity?

Answer 10

OH NO..sorry to hear this...They can be quick when they want to be... I own 4 and people say they are slow.....I just hope a bird didn't pick him up and go with him..Hope you find him soon.

PPL on here thing I am a nut for harnessing my turtles while outside...I don't think I am Now....

Good luck