Habitat - Indoor :: help!

[sme]

while driving to visit my father earlier this evening, i nearly ran over a turtle in the middle of a busy street! (obviously, i didn't realize it was a turtle until it was almost too late.)

i pulled over immediately and "saved" the turtle from the other traffic coming towards it. my wife and i spent some time driving around the neighborhood, trying to figure out where the turtle could have come from... but there are no nearby ponds or lakes... on both sides of the road the turtle was found on are residential areas, and i am happy to try and help the turtle, but i'm not going knocking door-to-door to find out where the turtle came from...

so now i'm not sure what to do. i did a little research online and determined that it's a red-eared slider. (i don't know a lot about turtles.) it's about six or seven inches, looks to be in pretty good shape, and was quite friendly. (it even seemed excited when my father's boxer would come by and sniff it--under supervision, don't worry--but it's hard to quiet a concerned dog!)

so i really don't know what to do, and i'm sorry to post such a random, helpless message... but i want to do what is best for the turtle.

i would be happy to keep him, though i don't know that i can afford the expense of a 60-120 gallon tank. i've spent some time on this site, and looking for tanks... they're damn expensive! i could probably swing a 20-30 gallon tank, but i don't want to harm the turtle by confining it to too small of a space.

i talked to some pet stores--both local (mom & pop type places) and chains (both petco and petsmart), and both types seemed to think that it was somone's pet and they wanted nothing to do with the turtle. (of course, they were all more than happy to try and sell me anything and everything i could ever possibly need to give the turtle a life of luxury.) i thought the kid at petsmart told me that a 20 gallon tank would suffice... but reading on this site has led me to believe otherwise.

anyway, i'm sorry for the rambling... if anyone could offer some advice, it would be greatly appreciated!

either post on here, or e-mail me at shawn@smethree.com

thanks, in advance!!!

[RES Tampa]

You would probably be best to put it back where you found it across the street in the direction it was headed. If it is a wild turtle it is going somewhere and putting it in a 20-30 gal tank would not be fair. Please also realize buying a tank is only the first expense. Filters, food, lighting all add up. RES can also live for 20 years so it is a long term commitment. If you really want to do the turtle a favor let it be free.

[jenaero]

I'd have to respectfully disagree with you, Tampa. If there are no lakes or ponds anywhere nearby, there's a good chance it may have escaped from someone's private pond. Put up some flyers in the area and at the pet stores to see if anyone claims it. Til then, do the best you can without spending a fortune. If you decide you can't keep it, look online for a reptile rescue facility in your area. They'll take it and re-home it. Good luck.

[marisa]

Sme, maybe this will help you:

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/found.htm

Where are you located? I'd try to find a wildlife rehabber near you to see if they can help.

Let us know what happens...

[sme]

thanks for all of the advice!

first off, in response to the first reply: all the pet shops that i spoke to about the turtle assured me that returning the turtle to where i found it would certainly be a death wish for the poor little guy. he was found near a major intersection in the south-west suburbs of chicago. the closest lake/pond is just over three miles away, and involves crossing three major (4-8 lane) streets/intersections.

as for the expense of it, i am well aware that there is more of an expense than just the tank... that's why i know that anything larger than a 30 gallon tank would be out of my price range--as more money would be needed for the other expenses. (what i mean is, i could afford a 20-30 gallon tank PLUS the filters, food, lighting, etc; or i could afford a 100 gallon tank and nothing else.) i should have been more explicit in my original e-mail. sorry for the confusion...

everyone i've talked to seems to be under the impression that the turtle either escaped from a pond or was "let go." granted, they are not all turtle aficionados like most of you, however they are animal people, most have seen the turtle and they are familiar with the area... (all i'm trying to say is that i have some reason to put faith in what they say as well as the help you are all offering. i'm not trying to sound ungrateful for your advice!)

i'm on the southwest side of chicago, so anyone that can point me in the right direction for help--it would be appreciated.

marisa, thank you for the url. i'm going to check it out now and see what kind of help they can offer.

i'm more than happy to hear (read) any other suggestions you might have.

thanks everyone!!!

sme

[marisa]

If you don't want to/feel you can't keep him, you could try contacting the Chicago Herpetological Society: http://www.chicagoherp.org/ They have a link to Animal Adoptions and a placement request form. There's also the Chicago Turtle Club: http://www.geocities.com/~chicagoturtle/


If, however, you change your mind and do wish to keep him, there are alternatives to 100-gallon tanks. (But they do need a number of other things, which you've probably seen from looking at the forums.)

[Oldturtle72]

Sme, If you want to take a little drive up to Kenosha, I'll be glad to take the turt off your hands. I have a 265 gallon outdoor pond that your RES would be a 'happy camper' in. Check out my profile and either send me a message or a email. I'm sure we can solve your dilemma. George