Habitat - Outdoor :: Tootsies Pond

[Nevy]

Hi All, its been quite awhile since I posted. So much has happened.

A friend took my Franklin to his very large pond, it seemed Franklin was not happy with having other turtles around him. He continued to act very aggressive and I felt it was better that he have his own home. I adopted another turtle from a yard sale, Slidee. She was in great condition in spite of living in a 10 gallon tank with no basking area or heater.

I put in a summer home for my turtles and had an escape. All 3 turtles got out and left home. I was so heartbroken, I couldnt believe they were able to scale the barriers around the basking area. I thought for sure they had been stolen. Fortunately a neighbor across the fairway from me found one of my babies, Tootsie, in the middle of the fairway and took her to his place. I was gardening and he came over and asked if I was missing a turtle. I was so happy that my favorite was still here. She was very dry and not very active. The 100 degree temps had taken their tole. I brought her home and put her in the pond and she seemed relieved to be home. She ate that night and doesnt seem to be any worse for her excursion.

The other 2 were no where to be found. I posted notices and put an add in the local paper. 2 weeks later, while walking the dog by the nearby water hazard (a large pond with frogs, fish and other yummy treats) I saw both Hubba and Slidee. Unfortunately I couldnt catch them...they were too quick. I have since staked out the pond and am still unable to catch the little darlings. Their shells are looking good from what I can tell from a distance, and food is not an issue. If anyone has any ideas on how to catch my "kids" I would greatly appreciate it!

Anyway, I have made the pond turtle proof, I would like to see Tootsie scale the blocks that keep her close to home! She is using her basking area and doesnt seem to want to leave anymore. Im not sure if she is lonely though.

I will post pictures of the pond once I go back and remember how to do it!

Nevy

[Nevy]

Ok, hopefully this will work LOL!



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[megcornell]

What a nice pond! Since the other two turtles have food and water readily available at the water hazard, I'm not sure there's a way to bribe them out other than to get some large nets and try to catch them while they're basking.
As for Tootsie, she's not lonely, don't worry, in fact I'd bet she likes having that pond all to herself lately . Turtles are more solitary than social so she's fine in a one turtle pond.

[SpotsMama]

I agree with Meg. Is there any danger to them if the two wanderers stay in the water hazard?

Help me here. I'm trying to count turtles and keep come up with one extra (or one short, depending on how you look at it). There's Franklin, Tootsie, Hubba and Slidee - that's four names. What happened to Slidee?

[untsmurf]

As I read it, Franklin was given away; then tootsie, hubba, and slidee were put in a pond, then escaped. Then her neighbor found tootsie. Then she found hubba and slidee by the water hazard. I think that's right.

[SpotsMama]

I guess I'm confused by the signature, which lists Franklin but not Slidee. maybe it just needs updating.

[untsmurf]

I think you're right SpotsMama.

She gave up franklin and got slidee from a yard sale.

[marisa]

Adventurous turtles, nice pond. When they were in the pond did the two escapees allow you near them? If not, you're going to have to keep a net hidden while you somehow get close enough to them to catch them.

I'll bet Tootsie is having the time of her life by herself in there.

[Nevy]

LOL, Ok, yes you all got it right, I gave Franklin to a friend, and Slidee was added. My signature needs updating.

There really is no danger to Slidee and Hubba at the water hazard. As a matter of fact, they are probably having the time of their lives there. I do not believe they do anything to the pond since they have all of the natural mosquito abaitment in place...mosquito fish and frogs...goodness knows what else is in there. The pond has been in place for at least 8 years. Those 2 will not allow me to get anywhere near them. They seem to favor the south end of the pond so I have attempted to approach by different sides, I cant get within 20 feet before they scoot right back in the water.

Im happy to hear that Tootsie is probably not lonely. She is such a little character! Thank you for the comments on my pond, its just a little thing compared to the ponds I put in at our old house...LOL, those took up my whole front yard! Im not used to playing at such a small scale...the golf course wouldnt stand for me to put in the large scale stuff.

I will keep trying to get back the other 2 turtles, I worry about them. I think they will be fine no matter what happens. I was worried about the kids in the area getting ahold of them, but since I cant get within 20 feet...they cant either. The grounds keepers live right next door and they spent a lot of time trying too. They continually ask if there is anything they can do and I just tell them to keep trying if they have the time.

On the other hand, this winter Tootsie will have her new tank all to herself. I was given a 120 gallon tank for the 3 turtles. They never got to see it though. I am walking a line on whether to adopt anymore turtles. If Tootsie is happy by herself then there isnt a need to get her a friend.

Thanks again for your replies, I will keep you posted on whether Hubba and Slidee come home or not.

Nevy

[Nevy]

Here are 2 more pictures of the pond, one with Tootsie basking and the other is just the pond.

[SpotsMama]

All I can say is Tootie is one lucky girl! Her big new home is beautiful. Turtle heaven!

[Safdar]

Nice pond im sure Tootie is happy

[steve]

Thanks for the pics and updates. I do hope you're able to catch them and it seems like a large net would help, but they can be incredibly fast. How large is that pond?

[Nevy]

Hi Steve, Im not sure how big it is. Its about 6 1/2 feet long and about 2 1/2 feet deep. As for gallons, I have no idea. Hubby came home with it from a yard sale. It came with a pump and a canister filter. Pretty nice set up for $60. An older couple had it and they had to take it out due to their grandchildren trying to swim in it LOL.