What should I do?

Question

I don't live near a lake or any other body of water but for some odd reason I found a turtle in my yard. I don't know what to do with it but what I did do was put it in a tub that is about 7 times its width wide and 3 times its length wide and the water i put in it can cover it. I also want to know what kind of turtle it is its about 5 by 7 inches long and it has orange spots on its head plz help me I don't want to kill it.

I don't live near a lake or any other body of water but for some odd reason I found a turtle in my yard. I don't know what to do with it but what I did do was put it in a tub that is about 7 times its width wide and 3 times its length wide and the water i put in it can cover it. I also want to know what kind of turtle it is its about 5 by 7 inches long and it has orange spots on its head plz help me I don't want to kill it. it was very dry wen i found it imk only 13 and my parents don't know what to do either.

if i do leave it in the water how long would it take for it to die i want to know because i dont want to leave it in the water to die.

Answer 1

Let it go back where it was. it'll know where to go and won't be stressed out living in an aquarium

Answer 2

First step; get it out of water, if its a box turtle or tortoise, it may drown. Even if its an aquatic turtle, it will be ok for alittle while out of water untill you identify it.
Second step; step- Identify the turtle. Some ideas; either find someone knowledgeable at a petstore(keep in mind that not all petstore people know alot) or animal rescue or zoo type place, or look on the internet. Search native turtles of your state on the web. Go to a local bookstore, find a feildguide for your part of the country, and i.d. it that way. Peterson fieldguides are great. If you read it in the store, you dont have to buy it.
You must I.D. it first, because it could be an escaped pet that is not native to your area, in which case it would not be good to release it at all. If it is native to your area, then see if it is aquatic or a land dweller, then find a place out in the country with that tye of habitat, and release it.
Other option is to keep it, but you must still i.d. it in order to give proper care, and if its a native to your state, it may not be legal to keep. If its not native, and you cant keep it, then find a turtle rescue. Seach online, in the phone book, and check on kingsnake.com- try this link; http://rescuenetwork.org/
Keep in mind that turtles are a big responsiblity.
Its nearly impossible to possitively i.d. it without seeing a picture, and knowing what state you are in. Anything else we tell you is purely an educated guess.

Answer 3

It is probably not a water turtle, but a box turtle. Just release it so it has a good chance of survival. You don't have to do anything with it--he was just crossing through your yard!

Answer 4

If you do not want to keep the animal then you should A. take the animal to a small pond or area with water or B. Take the animal to the nearest humaine society and they will put the animal back where it needs to be

Answer 5

I would take it out of the water, or at least drain it. You could put it back outside, and it will probably go about it's business when left alone. Or call you local Animal Shelter for advice.

Answer 6

This page helps a bit in identifying what turtle it may be
http://critterguy.museum.msu.edu/FieldGuide/Turtles.html

This page tells you what to do if you find a turtle
http://www.gctts.org/RehabbingTurtles/index.html

Best thing to do would be to ring a vet or the animal protection people and see what you can to do keep it safe until someone can come and get it. If it is a 'wild' turtle then it may not survive in the tank

Answer 7

box turtle. get it out of the water. they are a ground dwelling, forest animal, not an aquatic one.

Answer 8

Call your local Animal Rescue League, and they will help you. Thanks for being a caring person.