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Today was our first really warm day, so I decided to take Napoleon outside to explore. Since I'm not supposed to have pets, my neighbors don't know about him, so I had to sort of sneak him out. I first tried putting him in a big crocheted handbag, but he kept climbing out before I could even leave the apartment. I gave up, figuring that most of my neighbors weren't home, so I could hold him off to the side like a little discus and sneak around the side of the building, where at least if anyone saw me they wouldn't recognize me. I got him over to safety, then set him down. He sat. And sat. Pretty much just seemed to be thinking. For a while. He looked back and forth, pulled his head it, stretched it back out. Didn't move. I heard a bike coming up the path, so I scooped him up, then turned around and realized it was my cousin. I introduced them then stood and chatted for about 15 minutes. Napoleon got antsy after a few so I let him down, and he did walk a bit, but he started heading too far away so I picked him up again. He was very good for a long time, then started peeing. That was kind of funny, he swished his tail to the side and let out a stream, then craned his neck around and glared at me like he was saying 'Okay, I'm done NOW' So I took him back around the building and got him upstairs without anyone catching on. Hard to say whether it was a good experience, he didn't seem to care one way or the other, whereas he's very enthusiastic about exploring around the apartment.

He he, sounds like an episode of Mission Impossible, trying to sneak your turtle out of the building.

I think when turtles see the great outdoors for the first time they are just amazed. Last year, Spot would kind of freeze when I first started taking him out. He'd forget to struggle in my hands, stick his neck out as far as it would go and crane his head all around, just staring like he couldn't believe his eyes. After awhile he'd get used to it and start poking around. Today, he sat on the walk for awhile in the sunshine and basked! Right out in the open! I think the sun felt very good on his shell.

Yeah, unfortunately I couldn't take him out until I got home from work and the grocery store, so he didn't really get to experience full warm sunshine. Hopefully one of these days though... I let him bask in the window once when it was really sunny and he sat there for a good 20 minutes, loving it.

No pics?

Hows that pale spot on his arm?

It's still there, but his color is slowly starting to return. There was some kind of cut or abrasion there after all, but it didn't become visible until long after the color disappeared, when it started to heal I guess. But there have been no problems since, it hasn't spread or gotten funky or anything, so I guess it's just a long process. Thank you for asking!

No pics this time, I just wanted to get him out as surrepticiously as possible! Plus it was an odd time of day, the lighting would have been crappy anyway. Next time!

It's probably better to gradually introduce him to the sun since this is his first time ever, so it's good that he didn't go out during noonday sun today.

Too bad about you not being able to keep pets in your building! Many of these non-pet rules tend to be more for fur/feathered pets. Interesting that they wouldn't let you have an aquarium.

Aren't people afraid of their turtles making a run for it when they're outside? Maybe I'm paranoid but now that it's nice weather I've been debating taking Leo out, but I'm hesitant to do so without something to contain her in. I figured I'd buy a wading pool but my lease on this apt. is up at the end of this month so I'll just have to wait for my next apt. I suppose.

I would be afraid of taking my turtle out somewhere that he could run uder something or go somewhere i couldn't catch him, but in my fenced in backyard i don't worry too much. I still stay really close to him though, i keep an eye on him at all times and make sure i'm close enough that i can grab him if he tries to go for a gap under the fence or something. Try taking Leo to a nice grassy feld or something, that way there's nothing to lose her in. As long as you can run faster than she can it should be fine It's a lovely time of year to be outside in Ithaca, i wish i got up there more in the summer. It's nice in the winter still but it's just a little chilly!

industrial_girl_2000 wrote:Too bad about you not being able to keep pets in your building! Many of these non-pet rules tend to be more for fur/feathered pets. Interesting that they wouldn't let you have an aquarium.

They gave me permission for a 10 gallon (not knowing that I was actually using it as a hamster cage at the time) but then I ended up with Napoleon and figured it was better to bend the rules than to ask them and risk being forbidden to have him, then have to flat out break the rules.

lol!

I watch over my turts when I have them outside. An hour goes by pretty quick while we're outside. I just hope that the mosquitoes don't notice me.

megcornell wrote:Aren't people afraid of their turtles making a run for it when they're outside? Maybe I'm paranoid but now that it's nice weather I've been debating taking Leo out, but I'm hesitant to do so without something to contain her in. I figured I'd buy a wading pool but my lease on this apt. is up at the end of this month so I'll just have to wait for my next apt. I suppose.

Since Sheba is so large, I don't have a problem "losing" her. I keep a close watch on her and often times just walk alongside of her. Sometimes I take a small light stool with me so I can sit in between while she explores.

I would be more reluctant to take a teeny tiny turtle outside though. Sheba is big enough where most dogs/cats stay away from her & consider her a threat (they are afraid of her because she is so big so I don't have to worry about things "attacking" her).

Wading pool is a great idea though. Maybe I will check at the end of the summer season & get something on sale.

A wading pool at target is only $10. They go for even less by mid summer but before the end of summer they are off the market as the stores gear up for fall.