General Care Discussion :: Poof...New Turtle

[smith1_1_2000]

Okay a little over a week ago my 4 1/2 in. male disappeared. I looked everywhere. He didn't escape by climbing cause the fence is 2 ft. tall. Nor by digging cause there was no holes. I thought maybe preditors like raccoons. Now I am thinking someone took him because today I came home from the store and there is this HUGE res in my enclosure. No idea how it got in there but I don't know if I should keep it. I need advice. I already have 3 girls and this gal is HUGE. I think she's about 11 in. My Mammer is only 7 in. The other 2 are aroun 5 in. I am affraid it may hurt one of my babies or could have something and give it to my girls.

[imderanged]

That is really weird! Are you saying you think that some one stole your smaller turtle and replaced it with a larger one?!? Do you have wild RES around? Could the big one have chsed off the smaller one? I'm not sure what to tell you, but if it were me I would seperate them if possible, maybe have a vet look at the new turtle before letting them near eachother

[smith1_1_2000]

She wasn't in there this morning. She looks to be in good health. She's 9 in. My pond is only 100 gal. My girls are okay in it but this one needs more space. I don't know if I can upgrade the pond I just built it around 2 months ago. Her shell is in great condition, I think, but does have an old chip in the front.

[smith1_1_2000]

We don't have a natural RES population because we are in FL but there is a large pond near by and there are alot of turtles. I know some of them are RES but I think somone dumped them there. They all seem to be okay from what I can see. I just wish I knew where this girl came from and why would someone assume I wanted another. They aren't the easiest pets to have and I want to be the best turtle Mommy I can be. They need alot of room.

[SpotsMama]

Is she friendly? If she's been someone's pet I'd think she'd come to you begging for pellets. If she's very skittish, it's more likely that she's wild.

[blackforce247]

freaky yet disturbing. thats why i leave my turtles in the house when im out doing somthging because you never know what will happen to them

[Reel Girl]

VERY Mysterious!

Are there kids/teens around where you live that know you are a "turtle person"

Maybe someone left her in your enclosure because they knew you take good care of turtles and they didn't want her anymore.......

(I always get people trying to get me to take in dogs & cats & misc assorted pets!! - thank goodness they haven't dropped any off in yard while I was out!)

[smith1_1_2000]

Alot of people know I have turtles, I think. There are alot of kids around here. The turtle kinda stays in her shell. I think she's wild. Everyone knows I lost my turtle. I am not sure but I think she has eggs and came out the pond to lay them. When someone, not sure who yet, saw her they thought it was mine and stuck her in. I want to find out who did it before I figure out what to do. If she is wild I think I should release her back in the pond. What do you think?

[Reel Girl]

That is a very probable scenario - someone just assuming it was yours - definitely think you should release her, too . I would just start asking around or posting signs asking if anyone knows the mysterious circumstances of the new turtle appearing in your enclosure. Do you have a turtle/tortoise society & rescue in your area? We have a fantastic one here in San Diego - - they could probably help you out - especially if she is getting ready to lay eggs - yikes!
Keep us posted as you find things out!

[smith1_1_2000]

I have never seen my girls lay eggs in the 3 yrs i have had them so i am assuming. her bottom is a little poofed out and hardish? so is my girls so i am worried they are too.

[SpotsMama]

If you are confident she's wild, and the pond is safe, then I agree it would be best to release her back to the pond. If she's been someone's pet, it wouldn't be good because she wouldn't know how to fend for herself - find food, stay away from people and other animals, etc.

Is the pond safe? Not right on a busy street, water clean, places around it for turtles to bask and hide.

[Bumby's Mom]

Don't doubt that they can't climb the fence because they CAN. They are excellent climbers.

[smith1_1_2000]

It's a big retainer pond. There are fish and plantlife. Lots of turtles and lots of speed bumps (mountains) to keep traffic slow. We are off the main road so kids and pets are safe. I tried to feed her pellets and she didn't eat them, could be nerves (Mammer helped her out), so I am leaning towards wild. She doesn't hiss when picked up though and doesn't strugle to get away.

[marisa]

Try some live food (a worm, for example). To me, she sounds wild (if she couldn't get into your pond by herself, could someone have found/caught her and thought they were doing you a favor by replacing the one you lost?) If the pond you mention above is safe, I'd let her go there.

[smith1_1_2000]

I found out who put her in my enclosure and why. It seems word has gotten around that I have turtles in my pond. The nieghbor across the street found her in the road and thought it may have been mine. I really think she is wild. She won't eat the pellets I have and doesn't beg for food when I am spotted. She will eat the lett and plants. I super sized the pond today but I still don't think it is a good idea to keep her. Is it worst to keep her or release her? I know she will be all right on her own but I have a hard time with letting go.