Urgent Care :: Turtle MIA Help! He's outside somewhere

[smartkime]

Help!!

We JUST bought a new terrarium (sp) for our two red-eared sliders. My husband was cleaning the rocks, accessories, etc. and had our beloveds outside with him in their portable container to get some sun. He didn't realize the lid was not securely on and stepped into the garage for LITTERALLY 10 minutes.

Golic (our biggest one who's only about 5-6 in long) escaped

They were on our patio table... my husband called me out, we began looking for him and CAN NOT find him anywhere... the only thing that he could be hiding under would be the air conditioning unit. I can't imagine he would've be able to canvas 20 feet across the lawn and reach the fences and under them so I'm betting he's under the AC unit.. any suggestions on how to lure him out? Will he come out - what should we do?

[SpotsMama]

Here's some ideas for you:

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

Do not assume he can't have escaped the yard. They are faster than one thinks. If you can look around outside your fence that would be good. Tell your neighbors to keep their eyes peeled.

He may have dug down into the ground if there are some soft spots or hidden under some leaves.

He'll be attracted by water. Leave a bowl of water and shallow enough for him to climb into where he can find it easily. Maybe leave a bowl by the air conditioner and another someplace else.

If there are ponds or streams nearby he may be headed there.

I hate to bring it up, but if he fell any distance onto a hard surface he may be injured. Check him very carefully for cracks in the shell or blood when you find him, and then watch him for several days to make sure he eats, walks and swims normally and doesn't have any internal injuries.

Turtles have been lost for a long time - weeks or even months - and then suddenly turned up. If you don't find him right away, keep the bowls of water out and he may show up yet.

For future reference, containers heat up very fast in the sun - even if they are not closed. Any time your turtles are going to be outside in a container for any time at all, be sure the air circulation is good and that they have access to good shade.

Good luck. We'll keep our fingers crossed. Let us know how it goes.

[marisa]

The yard is enclosed? Are there any bushes? Do you live in an area where leaves are falling? I'd hose down the yard, especially around the air conditioner if you think that's where he is, to provide some moisture and help draw him out.

Check everywhere possible, even if you don't think it's possible he could be in a particular place. Good luck.

[Andrew7769]

if you have a garden i would dig around in there, i have seen sliders digdown 2 feet in 1 night of being out of their cages