General Care Discussion :: my 2 year old disapeared

[Boston_Zhao]

I used take my turtle out of her habitat once a week and she always enjoyed walking around for couple of hours. But a few days ago she disapeard from my house. I my screen doors were closed, I have no idea how she could get out of my house. I seached every single inch in the house, but found no trace of her. I have been upset and sad. What can I do? Every time I see the empty tank......sigh

[geekyturtle]

Search the forum for lost turtle to see suggestions. One that seems to come up often is to leave a can of tuna out on the floor - the smell gets around and if she's hungry and still in the house, she'll go for it usually.

Good luck!

[TheComputerGremlin]

How long is a few days? I doubt she has left the house, she is probably hiding somewhere.

Turtles are amazing in the places they can get wedged into. You can't just glance around or under things, you need to start moving EVERY piece of furniture and appliance in your house.

She may be under any shelves or between the back and the wall of them, under the tv stand, under the fridge or between it and the wall, under the stove, etc. You'll need to spend a good few hours of searching and moving things to find her. The only way she could have left the house is if a door was left open with no one paying attention for a good few minutes. Turtles can also go up or down stairs if needed.

Keep us posted.

[DavidY]

Look in any piles of clothes (if you have teenagers in your house especially) or blankets, anywhere that's dark. Make sure to look through all the clothes/blankets/pillows/whatever as they will climb into the folds and could easily be overlooked. I hope you find him.

[marisa]

I don't think your turtle got out of the house. Check in small corners and crevices, the pockets of clothes, under any papers on the floor, any place your turtle could crawl into. You might leave a shallow pan of water on the floor of the room your turtle was last in. You could also leave a light on next to it at night, which also might draw the turtle out if he's still in the room.

[Arisu]

How did he get out of his habitat in the first place? Was he on his weekly stroll?

Like everybody described, turtles are incredible when it comes to hiding. He can be just about anywhere he can wedge himself into. I found my turtle under my couch before.

Hurry! And good luck! I hope hes still in the house!

[steve]

I'd search room to room and block of rooms that you are certain are clear. Your turtle is around, you just need to keep looking.

[Boston_Zhao]

thanks guys. I had to go for an out of town trip. But I asked my mom to come over to do everything you suggested here. My mom found no trace at all. ...so sad!!!

[SpotsMama]

Any dogs or cats in the household?

[Boston_Zhao]

my turtle misteriously re-appeared in my living room after 2 weeks without food and water. My mom said she was still active and ate 3 feeder fish right after she was put back into her habitat. The question is: where did she go for 2 weeks ???

[TupacTheTurle]

to lay eggs somewheres in your house.

that'd be my guess.

[SpotsMama]

Didn't you know - turtles can slip in and out of other dimensions. One of their many talents.

Seriously, I'm very glad to hear it turned out ok.

[Arisu]

yay! we knew she was still in the house. turtles are great at wedging themsevles in virtually impossible cracks. so glad you found her! I bet she re-appeared cuz she was starving and knew you had the yummies for her.

[Sassamo]

Yay! I'm glad she's back. I wonder how much of your house she explored
The egg comment was funny, if you smell something bad and find eggs you'll know where she was lol

[TheComputerGremlin]

Yay for finding missing turtles! She was probably snoozing somewhere under a piece of furniture! Now secure that tank so she can't escape again!!