If you no longer want a turtle, keep trying to find a home or find a way to put it to sleep, as we euphemistically with dogs and cats. Do not release a pet red-eared turtle back into the wild.
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Can I release a wild turtle back into the wild?
Once a turtle is in captivity it should not be released back into the wild because it can spread disease to other turtles in the wild. Viruses, andbacteria are presented in the form of a disease.
Turtles can be injured or killed by humans or other animals. below)
- They can also be killed or injured by predators such as cats
- Dogs
- Raccoons
- Foxes
- Coyotes
- Skunks
- Owls
- Hawks
- Falcons
- Eagles
- Bears
- Snakes
or any other animal that may be attracted to the turtle by the presence of its eggs or eggs laid by another animal. In addition, turtles can become entangled in fishing gear, fishing lines, nets, etc. and die as a result of this injury or death.
For more information on how to care for wild turtles, please see our Wild Turtle Care page.
Can you let a pet turtle go in a pond?
Turtles can make an excellent addition to your pond, although they do need considerable care and are not suitable for children. They will quickly acclimate themselves to the pond environment if they are aquatic. The size of the turtle will depend on the type of pond you are planning to build. If you plan to keep a large turtle, it may be best to choose a larger pond than you would for a smaller turtle.
A turtle that is too small will not be able to swim well, and will be unable to find its way out of its enclosure. It may also be difficult for it to reach the water’s edge, which can be a problem if you have a pond with a lot of shallow water. For this reason, larger turtles should be kept in larger ponds, while smaller turtles in smaller ponds.
You will also want to make sure that your turtle has access to a water source, such as a well-maintained pond or pond that has been fenced in. This will ensure that it has a safe place to go when it needs to escape from the enclosure, or if it gets stuck in the mud or other debris that may block its path.
Where can I let go of my turtle?
Some animal control agencies and humane societies will accept turtles. Most nature centers have enough animals to care for, and not all nature centers care for all animals.
Why you should not relocate a turtle?
Even if you think their current location is odd, don’t relocate turtles to new areas. Moving them to an unfamiliar location can subject them to foreign diseases and parasites that they lack a natural immunity to.
Is it true you shouldn’t move a turtle?
They should not be relocated. Many turtles have ” Home Ranges”, a territory they call home, and when relocated, they will search out ways back or just move to a new area. If you do decide to relocate a turtle, make sure you have a plan in place for how you are going to care for them once they are back in their new home.
You will need to know what they like to eat, how much water they need, what kind of habitat they prefer, etc. It is also a good idea to keep track of how many times they have been moved, so you know how long it will take them to return to their old territory.
Do you have to put a turtle back where you found it?
Their survivability is dependent on it. If you really want a pet reptile and can commit to keeping it healthy and happy, then you should consider purchasing one from a good breeder.
Can turtles survive in the wild after captivity?
Captive turtles often do not survive being released into the wild and released pet turtles may introduce diseases into wild populations, especially if they were kept in a home with other animals. Turtles are protected by the law from being removed from their natural habitat.
The law also requires that the owner of a pet turtle obtain a permit from the Department of Fish and Wildlife to keep the turtle in captivity. The permit is valid for one year and must be renewed every two years.
Will a captive turtle survive in the wild?
This is a big NO. A domestically sourced or pet box turtle should never be released in the wild. They did not have to survive in extreme conditions. A box turtle wouldn’t be able to survive in the wild environment.
If you want to keep a turtle in your home, you need to make sure that it is healthy and well cared for. If you don’t know how to properly care for your turtle, then you shouldn’t keep one.
Can I keep a turtle I found on the road?
One of the problems associated with turtles is that they can carry salmonella, which can be passed on to people if they don’t wash their hands after handling them. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local animal control office.
