All Turtles Message Board

Mikey · Level 1 Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 8

Do wild turtle's adjust to captivity? If we took this turtle we found and put in a tank what would be the best way to do that? It looks to be about 5 years old. It is also in an area down in a pit in our yard where it likes to burrow under leaves but there is no water in there or food. We have been running some water in there and it seems to go directly to the water. But we can't keep doing that because it is right next to our house and the running water could leak into our basement if we left it running too long. We know nothing about taking care of a turtle other then they live in or near water and have read some things about what they eat and that you can buy turtle food. HELP. What to do?

kelleytidwell

Mikey · Level 1 Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 8

Oh your's is so little and cute. The one we found is 7x6" or maybe even 8"x6". I would have to get a huge tank I would think.

Kitty · Level 3 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 100 Location: Tracy, Ca

Hi, Yes they do.
Most of mine have come from the wild, I keep them in a pond out side. My babies are in the house in tanks. If you want to keep him/her, Do you want to keep it inside or outside?Plus you need to find out what type of turtle it is for sure. Where do you live? what kind of weather is there? Turtles can be in a pond that will ice over, but I would rather bring them in for the winter, It can be risky out all winter if they don't bulk up with food first. Inside you will need a tank, heater, lighting 2 kinds,and basking area,and filter Out side you need a pond, or tub. basking area.and a filter depending on set up. You want to copy nature so to speek, Of corse we can do it better...LOL once you decide if you want inside or outside let us know, I'm sure you will get lots of help... This is good, as everyone has different ideas and different set-ups, but in the end they all get the same results...
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There is nothing more exciting than to see baby Turtles, popping up out of the ground, or to find them wondering across the yard.

Mikey · Level 1 Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 8

If we were to keep it it would be inside but it's about 6"x7" about. Maybe even 8". It's pretty big. Maybe too big to have in a tank. We would have to get a huge one. Otherwise we are going to bring it to a pond or the river close by. The pond has lots of ducks and angry geese. I worry it would get hurt. The river has a strong current I worry about that too. Which would be the best the pond with the geese or a river? I am in Minnesota.

Kitty · Level 3 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 100 Location: Tracy, Ca

If you can keep it I would do that, he took off from the pond or river for a reason, you may never know why. You can always use a kids wading pool in the yard, or a 55 gallon tank in the house. check out craigslist if you have it for your area, under FREE, or garage sales or your paper, you can usaly find a tank cheep or free
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There is nothing more exciting than to see baby Turtles, popping up out of the ground, or to find them wondering across the yard.

Mikey · Level 1 Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 8

Well we brought it to the pond. It's a 10 minute drive to get there and that's the closest one so I don't know if they wander that far but he seemed happy to run into the water. Or she. Who knows how long it's gone without food being trapped in our pit. It could not get out and we never look in there. It ran into the water pretty fast and swam under.

Kitty · Level 3 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 100 Location: Tracy, Ca

I'm sure it will be happy..
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There is nothing more exciting than to see baby Turtles, popping up out of the ground, or to find them wondering across the yard.

Mikey · Level 1 Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 8

So it was my husband that wanted to keep the turtle but we just have no place to keep it because it was so big. Maybe I could go to a pet store and buy a little one for him. How big of a tank do you need for a baby turtle?

Kitty · Level 3 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 100 Location: Tracy, Ca

That would be so neat.
a 20 gallon tank is good to start with, keep in mind that in a few years the little turtle will get big, they don't stop growing just because they are kept in a small tank, to small of a tank can cause shell deformaty. If you have room for a larger tank, and can find one in your price range, (check the news paper,ect.) I would go with a larger tank. This will save you from having to up grade down the road. They sell Turtle tank set-up at most pet shops, my friend got one at pet co. on sell..killer deal $39.00 for tank, hood, light, filter, floating Island, and food..reg $169.00 A turtle tank has one side lower so the filter can go there,so you don't have to fill the tank all the way up.. But a reg fish tank is just as good. and easier to find.
_________________
There is nothing more exciting than to see baby Turtles, popping up out of the ground, or to find them wondering across the yard.