General Care Discussion :: wandering outside

[slidin_sliders]

how big should your turrtle be until you let it wander outside in your backyard?

and are there any rules i have to follow when i do that?

[BullDog]

Well, I built a "cage" out of popsicle sticks when my turts were about 1", one got out, and I lost one for two weeks... Luckily, my dog found him under the house. I think the only rule is watch them like a HAWK (and watch for hawks, and other preditors too, if you have any around your house). They're fast little boogers, whether they look it or not.
I don't take Ralph out anymore, because all he ever does is dive for the nearest bush...

[marisa]

I wouldn't let him just wander. If you take him out, I'd stay with him and not let him out of my sight. As noted, they can be incredibly fast and can do a good job of blending in with their surroundings.

[Kallistos]

When I take my turtles out one of them goes full speed towards a bush. The other one fully extend every body parts and lays there. (and people wonder if they can release there turtles into the wild still)

[steve]

When I take my turtles out one of them goes full speed towards a bush. The other one fully extend every body parts and lays there. (and people wonder if they can release there turtles into the wild still)

Mine are like that as well. My female RES likes her shade and my male RES would just bask.

[BullDog]

(and people wonder if they can release there turtles into the wild still)

I hear that!

[Spookster]

Our 9 inch female RES always runs for a hiding spot in the bushes.

[marisa]

I had Tilly outside for a bit walking around today. For a while he was pretty cautious, walking a bit and then sticking his head up to see where I was. (I don't hover over him--he's pretty easy to spot when he's ambling along.) At some point, though, he always gets it in his head to head in a certain direction, usually where there are bushes. If the bushes are near the house, I know he won't go far. But when he's heading toward bushes that are away from the house, and I see him getting too close for comfort to the bushes, I have to go and retrieve him. When he sees me coming, he becomes so quick, it becomes a race to see who's going to get to those bushes first. (He's fast, but not that fast.)

[Spookster]

When he sees me coming, he becomes so quick, it becomes a race to see who's going to get to those bushes first. (He's fast, but not that fast.)

lol Ours does the same exact thing. I've never seen a turtle move so fast.