General Care Discussion :: Taking Field trip

[myrtletheturtle]

So I was wondering how many people take their res out of there tanks and let them roam or put them outside and what not. If I don't take Myrtle out of his cage and familiarizes him with myself and stuff im afraid he might try and bite me down the road because i barely take him out except for when i take him out to clean. When i pick him up he opens his mouth likes hes going to bite me haha but hes still a baby so should i start taking him out?

[SpotsMama]

Whenever turtles are taken out, they aren't allowed to just roam freely - they are always closely supervised. Especially if they are out of doors, you can't take your eyes off of them because there are so many ways they can get lost or hurt.

Whether it's a good idea to take your turtle out depends on the turtle. Is she a little one? Little ones would find it too stressful. If she's four inches long or bigger, then it may be a good idea depending on her personality. Some turtles are bolder and enjoy getting out to explore but some are shy and would find it stressful. If your turtle is grown and you try taking her out but she seems nervous and just wants to hide she's probably shy and not ready to go out. If she starts looking around and sniffing things then she's probably enjoying it. You'll have to be the judge.

If you take her outside you have to be careful with her. Things to be concerned about - don't ever leave her in a glass or plastic container in the sun because it will overheat rapidly. Don't ever take your eyes off her because she'll disappear before you know it. Don't let her get into any ants or fertilizer or persticides. Don't let a dog or cat get near her. And don't take her out unless it's warm - around 80 degrees or more.

Inside you also need to be vigilent. She can get under things or behind things and it will be hard to get her out. Don't let her fall off anything. Be sure she won't get stepped on.

Sounds like a lot of don't's! Most of it is just common sense. I hope it works out. If she's not ready now she probably will be eventually. Good luck.

[Tenodera]

You can handle him in your hands sometimes to let him get him used to do without having him on the ground. and when you put him back in his you can give him a small treat so he associates you with food!

[myrtletheturtle]

well she is very little not even 2 inchs she is very active and not as shy as she was when i first got her. I only have a porch cause im on the 3rd floor of a condo so I gues its not a good idea especially if i cant keep myrtle in plastic. i might have a wicker basket or somthing but I dont think il take the risk. When i was 15 i had a box turtle and i let him outside everyday for bout 30 minutes and one time he dug his way out of this contraption I had and he ran well crawled away and he ended up in my neighbors yard a few daysn later thank god they found speedy I was devestated!! I even put up missing turtle signs hah anyways well i guess i could handle him for a little bit. I hand fed him sliced strawberries yesterday he loved it!!! Sorry for the hes and shes i bviously dont know what myrtle is yet hehe

[ZombieTurtle]

haha hand feeding is fun and gets your turtle to know you real fast (only cause they think there getting food when they see you), but i noticed when i took my turt out after hand feeding for a few days that he would try to bit my finger (much more than usual),, then i stopped hand feeding for a while (just put the food on the dock, then he comes up and "finds" it) then when i take him out after a few days he doesnt bit at me with such aggression haha although he still recognizes me when im near the tank.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I don't take Sheba outside that often these days because I am not home much. But I often let her roam around my house when I am home. She is very comfortable being outside the tank (follows me around & doesn't run away from me when I walk around with her) so I know for a fact she isn't stressed. Also, she associates being outside of the tank with "feeding time" since I feed her in a separate pan of water in the kitchen. I often just let her walk & don't keep an eye on her because she is a very large turtle (9" long x 4.5" thick x 6" wide) so I can't really lose her. Plus, when she gets bored & when I stop paying her attention, she has a large red plush shoe that she goes into behind the toilet (it's actually for cats, but I bought it at the pet store for Sheba & she loves sitting in it).

I have had Sheba for a VERY long time (17.5 yrs) so she has had plenty of time to get used to being with me which is why I let her out. I have had turtles in the past that I would not let out because I know it would make them very stressed out & they run for the nearest hiding place! So it really depends on the turtle.