Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

this morning i found a young turtle about 10cm long im
my garden. So,

1) I dont know if it is an aqua turtle who escaped
so i need u to tell me how can i distinquish it?

2) what to feed it? Now have i put it inside a paper box with lots of leaves from various plants. I keep the box in my balcony so the sun can see it the morning, is that ok or shall
i put it inside my home?

3) do turtles dring water? How can i give it water?

4)The turtles eyes are most of the time closed, is that a problem or is that because it is still very young?

Please mention anything else u think worthwhile.

Thanks in advance

Thank you for assisting this turtle!!!

>1) I dont know if it is an aqua turtle who escaped so i need u to tell me how can i distinguish it?

Does it have **webbed** feet? Where are you located? Check the photo gallery at www.chelonia.org for pictures of turtles native to your area. If you find not matches, try comparing to Red-eared slider, a turtle becoming ubiquitous across the planet.

>2) what to feed it?

Depends VERY much on what kind of turtle it is! Until you identify it, please try earthworms to engage its attention.

>...Now have i put it inside a paper box with lots of leaves from various plants. I keep the box in my balcony so the sun can see it the morning, is that ok or shall i put it inside my home?

I fear the balcony might not be safe if he/she escaped the box! Can you supervise during the "sunny" hours and then bring it inside your home for safety?

>3) do turtles drink water? How can i give it water?

By all means provide water!!! A very clean (new!) kitty-litter pan, dish pan, plant saucer might be used for soaking. If webbed feet, then water can be deep enough for swimming. If *not* webbed feet, then water as deep as its lower shell; warm water---no chill to it!

>4)The turtles eyes are most of the time closed, is that a problem or is that because it is still very young?

Most likely the eyes are closed because the turtle is dehydrated so water soaks are essential!!!
Please let us know what you discover at the photo gallery! Then more specific info can be given! Best of luck!!!
Link

well it doesnt have webbed feet

and by looking at the pictures and considering I live in athens
it must be a Greek Tortoise!

So what can i feed it? earthworms? Where do i find those? digging my garden doesnt sound a good idea

How long can it become? and how the hell it arrived in my garden? Im not living in a rural area! Is it possible there are more of its kind (parents, siblings)hidden in the garden?

Are small turtles in danger by cats, cause there are a few cats around my 10month rottweiler

thanks

Yes dogs and cats kill turtles and tortoises all the time. You must find a way to keep it safe.
If its a greek tortoise it should probably have a solely vegtarian diet. So no worms. Got any dark green leafy vegetables around?
Do you have a camera? Is it posible you could post pictures so somebody can verify the ID?
This turtle shouldn't get cold (below 65 F) and shouldn't be put in water more than an inch or so deep.
there are several decent greek tortoise caresheets on the web.

Now that you know it is a greek, Make sure that if you decide to keep the toroise that you provide a varried diet and calcium supplements. Boc Choy is very good for them and has alot of calcium. He will get around 8 inches in length. make sure that is you live in a city that uses chlorine or chloramine in the water supply that you either use bottled water or purrified water. Good Luck.