General Care Discussion :: Very sad day, need advice!

[mailman1231]

Hi there, I am brand new to the forums looking for an answer to a problem I've recently had with one of our two red ear sliders. We left it in the care of good friends over the weekend, with instructions to feed and keep a clean tank. We got back in town today and were told that one of the turtles would not come out of their shells, eyes closed. They say they gently poked him a few times with zero response from the turtle, they put him on a heated rock for about an hour and he did not come out, same position, in his shell with his eyes closed. SO THEY BURIED HIM!!!!!
My first thought was what the hell, why didnt anyone call us? They just said they were pretty sure he was dead (They were apparently pretty sure because they had owned various reptiles before), and that they didnt want to put him back in the tank with the other turtle. I just find it fishy how they were fine the day we left, we leave them in the care of others for two days and one dies and gets buried, no questions asked.
So basically my question is, when turtles die are they usually clammed up in their shells tightly (maybe because of rigamortis??) or are they limp, loose and hanging?

[mailman1231]

15 views and no replies?!?!

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Id actually go unburry the turtle. He could still be a live even after being burried. A turtle will not be up tight in their shell. Usually limbs fall out and become limp If they turned the turtle the limbs would fall out. It definitely sounds like it was alive.

[happycamper]

Wow, sad. Go dig it up, quick!

[PridgNYC]

I was going to reply yesterday, but I have never experienced a turtle dying, I only know what I have read here and on other forums, and I have never heard one being tucked into it's shell when it died. But since everything I have to say is hearsay, I didn't want to make trouble for you and your so called "good" friends.