Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Someone I work with found an RES walking across their driveway either yesterday or Wednesday night. They took it and put it in a box and brought it for reasons I don't really understand. They attempted to put it in with the RES we already have. The captive turtle attacked it, but they were luckily able to be seperated. I believe the found turtle is wild, based on size, patterning, and temperment. It's pretty aggressive. They are native in my area as well, so it is possible that it is from outside. We are trying to feed it turtle pellets, just to check. I don't think it's eating them though. I'm on my way out to get some fish. I plan to ask my Biology professor on Monday if she knows of a place that can take it and release it safely. The local nature center said to put it in the driveway in the direction that it was going towards. I didn't think that was a good idea, since I would have to give it back to the woman who brought it in, and it is highly possible for it to walk into the road. I do have an RES, so I do have knowledge of how to care for it. However, if there is any suggestions you can give me for the time I am keeping it, or if you might know a place that can take it, please let me know. I am in Bucks County, PA, as I suppose that information will help. I would be willing to drive it to a rescue if there is one available that will not require my getting on I-95 or the turnpike.
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4.0.0 Bearded Dragons (Yusuke- Fat Lazy type , Woodrow- Dragon with an attitude, asleep for the winter, Tehko- The baby, little dirt ball, Dexter- just a brat, also asleep for the winter)
1.0.0 Rankins Dragons (Erik-a midget)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Beta - I can't remeber his name (just swims around)
0.0.1 Guinea Pig (Timothy)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)

I thought it had eaten the pellets, but I later realized it probably didn't. It didn't eat the fish either. The turtle did visually follow the fish for a while, acting as though it was very interested in them. I was look for frozen smelt as last resort (my grandpa's RES lived on this, not the best, but hey, I want it to eat). That wasn't available in two supermarkets. I can home with Scallops ( Yeah, yeah, not the greatest either, but i've given up on that for today). I figured if the turtle didn't eat them, I would. As they floated down past the turtle, it was very interested in them. It got one and ate it, and appeared to be looking for more. The rest, 3 more pieces (out of one that I cut up) were right under it. Just to experiment I got a pair of feeding tongs out. Once I held them up, the turtle ate them very enthusiastically. I gave it two. I also tried feeding it a piece of collard green, which it took a bite of. It also took, but spit out the pellet when I held it up. So, this turtle does not eat anything that drops below the surface of the water.
I do have a light on the turtle, just in case anyone was wondering. It's in a plastic bin which I drilled holes through the top of.
For anyone who wants to ream me for not setting up an aquarium and feeding it a good balanced diet, do not reply. I don't need that. I didn't want this turtle to die. I cannot keep it, and I cannot afford an expensive setup on a turtle I am not keeping. If I was planning to keep it, I would set it up nicely like the turtle we already have. I am not some idiot who has no idea what to do with a turtle. I am merely trying to get a few tips on what I can do to make this turtle's life with me for a few days or weeks better, and trying to move him along to where he belongs, or at least as close as is possible.

For those that are still reading, any tips on sexing would be appreciated. I think it may be female. The one we have at home is a male, and so is the one at work. I think this one's tail is shroter than theirs', and if I remember correctly that has something to do with it. It is heavier and larger than the males. My grandfather's female was lighter than this one though.
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4.0.0 Bearded Dragons (Yusuke- Fat Lazy type , Woodrow- Dragon with an attitude, asleep for the winter, Tehko- The baby, little dirt ball, Dexter- just a brat, also asleep for the winter)
1.0.0 Rankins Dragons (Erik-a midget)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Beta - I can't remeber his name (just swims around)
0.0.1 Guinea Pig (Timothy)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)

It's likely a feral (non-native because sliders aren't native to PA) slider on her way to lay eggs, which might also explain why she's not eating much right now. Male sliders have much longer front nails, and a longer, thicker tail. The cloaca is between the plastron and carapace in most females, and past the carapace in males.

You can try palpating for eggs by gently inserting a finger into the opening between the FRONT OF THE HIND LEG and the shell. Best to hold the leg, insert the finger, tilt the turtle to that side while holding her upright (tail down to the ground, head to the ceiling) and see if you feel anything round. Try for the other side next. Since sliders are not native, it would be best to giver her a container of several inches of dirt or mulch overnight to let her lay the eggs, then freeze the eggs to prevent accidental hatching.

Temporary housing can be had in the form of a Rubbermaid 50 gallon container.

Most rescues/adoption groups are full right now, but we can stil put her up on Petfinder.com if you'd like to try to find an adopter.

Katrina

Well, they've got them in the local Nature Center and aren't caring for them (other than possibly stocking the pond). So, while they aren't naturally occuring, as like many places where they're found, they do survive here. I know my friend found her's in a park in the area, maybe about 10 years ago.
I don't have anything to set her up in right now if she is gravid, but I can pick it up tomorrow or Monday, and will if I need to. I don't want her to get eggbound either. I will check and see if the place can take her, and if not, yes, it may not hurt to list her on petfinder.
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4.0.0 Bearded Dragons (Yusuke- Fat Lazy type , Woodrow- Dragon with an attitude, asleep for the winter, Tehko- The baby, little dirt ball, Dexter- just a brat, also asleep for the winter)
1.0.0 Rankins Dragons (Erik-a midget)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Beta - I can't remeber his name (just swims around)
0.0.1 Guinea Pig (Timothy)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)

You should try and find out if there is a lake around where the person you work with lives! If the turtle is wild and is native to your area it probably lived in a lake somewhere in that area and should be released back where it came from! If it's female it was probably out lookin for somewhere to nest or was on its way back from nesting. Hope this helps.

Yes, the best situation would have been to return it to the nearest body of water to where it was found. It didn't happen that way. I can't take it there. I don't know where that is, and I can't find out. We don't have any hours together, and I do not want to give it back to her and tell her to do that. How do I know that this is what will really happen? I took the turtle because I felt that I would be able to provide the safest home for it. Now it's my responsibility to do whatever I can do make sure that happens.
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4.0.0 Bearded Dragons (Yusuke- Fat Lazy type , Woodrow- Dragon with an attitude, asleep for the winter, Tehko- The baby, little dirt ball, Dexter- just a brat, also asleep for the winter)
1.0.0 Rankins Dragons (Erik-a midget)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Beta - I can't remeber his name (just swims around)
0.0.1 Guinea Pig (Timothy)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)

I live in Western PA and i am 'pretty' sure that RES are not native to this area... i have never heard of RES that were native to PA. I know that they need warm weather... and that definitely isn't what we have here in PA. Our frost line is really deep because of our long cold winters, so I really dont think that the RES are native to this area.... i have a feeling that you may think RES are native to the area because of the numerous amounts of people leaving them go in the wild, but this doesnt help our REAL native turtles. the RES end up taking over and eventually use up all of the food and water areas of our native turtles, which eventually kills off our native turtles and possibly even making them become extinct.
wow... after all of that being said, i would say you need to find out if RES are actually native to your area, and if they are... the best thing would be to find the nearest DEEP body of water in your area and release this guy/girl.... they will find their way home if they need to. but you need to make sure it really is NATIVE to the area.
as far as keeping the turtle happy until you find out these things... i would say just keep doing what you are doing, definitely dont try to throw the turtles together again anytime soon. (although most people would tell you that you never should have thrown them together in the first place because the new RES could've had parasites that may have been very harmful to your other turtle. you should always quarantine any new turtles for at least a week or so to make sure they are disease free.) but that's for someone else to say... for now i will say that i applaud you for 'saving' this turtle and trying to keep it alive... if only there were other people out there that would do the same thing... *applause* hope this helps!
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~ Evie

Pets:
0.1.0 German Shepherd {Dusty}
0.1.0 German Shepherd/Collie mix {Shadoe}
0.0.2 RES turtles {Booger and Snot}
1.0.0 African Clawed Frog {Bingo}
0.0.1 Snail {Gary}

RES are not native that far north, but just like here in NJ, they do live and thrive here, pushing back some of the native species. That being said, if yours is a female she was probably on her way to lay eggs, and should be released.

And, the suggested quarentine period is 3-4 months, not a week or so, reptiles show signs of illness very slowly. I doubt she would even get along with your other RES tho. I hope your other one doesn't get sick from the short time they were together.
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I hope he's alright as well, he was nasty when I was cleaning the tank last night, but it's too soon to tell if any diseases were introduced.
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4.0.0 Bearded Dragons (Yusuke- Fat Lazy type , Woodrow- Dragon with an attitude, asleep for the winter, Tehko- The baby, little dirt ball, Dexter- just a brat, also asleep for the winter)
1.0.0 Rankins Dragons (Erik-a midget)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Beta - I can't remeber his name (just swims around)
0.0.1 Guinea Pig (Timothy)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)

I didn't throw them together. I know you don't throw animals together without a quarantine. Also not in the tank of the animal you have had longer. I'm in Eastern Pa. Whether or not they are native or feral, actually, i'm not entirely sure. You're right, I figured since I see them around, they must be naturally occurring here. Especially if they are in the nature center. They remove all the non native plants yearly, so I guess thinking that way I thought they came from around here. I'll need to do some more research.
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4.0.0 Bearded Dragons (Yusuke- Fat Lazy type , Woodrow- Dragon with an attitude, asleep for the winter, Tehko- The baby, little dirt ball, Dexter- just a brat, also asleep for the winter)
1.0.0 Rankins Dragons (Erik-a midget)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Beta - I can't remeber his name (just swims around)
0.0.1 Guinea Pig (Timothy)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)

Couldn't you just look up the person's address and drive to that area. Ask around if there is a body of water close by. I would think that would be easier and less time consuming than caring for it and trying to find a rescue. It doesn't really need to be rescued, just returned to where it came from.

It is very nice of you to take it off that person's hands. I am sure they have no idea how much trouble they've caused you.

Good Luck! Nancy

Once again, I do not have the address, and I can not get it.
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4.0.0 Bearded Dragons (Yusuke- Fat Lazy type , Woodrow- Dragon with an attitude, asleep for the winter, Tehko- The baby, little dirt ball, Dexter- just a brat, also asleep for the winter)
1.0.0 Rankins Dragons (Erik-a midget)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Beta - I can't remeber his name (just swims around)
0.0.1 Guinea Pig (Timothy)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)

If you work with her, you obviosly know her work number. Call her when you know she's working and ask. If you really want to do what you can for this turtle, let it go.
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~walnut~
Turtle Pics
1 Dog- Mollianna Mae
1 Cat- Macey Montana
2 Red Eared Sliders- Gator and No-No
2 Beta- Swamp and Swims
4 Fish- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

If you bothered to read my other postings, you would have known by now that I cannot contact her about this. Please stop suggesting that option, because i'm not going to get it.
I seriously debated whether or not post this on here, knowing I would be attacked by people, and told to do things that aren't possible no matter how many times I said they weren't possible. I'm thinking now that posting here was more trouble than it was worth. I've seen people post in the bearded dragon forum (where I used to post often but now lurk) about such a thing, and had never experienced it. Now that I have, I truly feel bad if I ever made someone feel the way I do.
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4.0.0 Bearded Dragons (Yusuke- Fat Lazy type , Woodrow- Dragon with an attitude, asleep for the winter, Tehko- The baby, little dirt ball, Dexter- just a brat, also asleep for the winter)
1.0.0 Rankins Dragons (Erik-a midget)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Beta - I can't remeber his name (just swims around)
0.0.1 Guinea Pig (Timothy)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)

please try to not blame it on the people. i think they are just trying to help. everyone (or at least most everyone) posts here because they want to see what is best for the animals. i guess that people feel that since she had enough contact with you to get you the turtle, then there must be a way for you to get her/his address. some people just dont understand that sometimes that isnt possible. i would say if you dont find someone to take the RES and you can no longer keep it... to release it to the nearest body of water near you. since it is from that 'area' (loosely speaking) then i am sure it will find it's way home if need be. hope this helps!
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~ Evie

Pets:
0.1.0 German Shepherd {Dusty}
0.1.0 German Shepherd/Collie mix {Shadoe}
0.0.2 RES turtles {Booger and Snot}
1.0.0 African Clawed Frog {Bingo}
0.0.1 Snail {Gary}

Well, the two of use have never actually met. It's just the way it is that there are some people who work in the same place that I may never meet, or will only see in passing.
I'll either place it in a rescue locally within a few days, or keep it with me as long as possible while searching for a home for it somewhere else. If I should get to the point where my parents are looking for this turtle to leave, i'll release it myself. At least that way I get the time to search for the best place possible to release the turtle.
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4.0.0 Bearded Dragons (Yusuke- Fat Lazy type , Woodrow- Dragon with an attitude, asleep for the winter, Tehko- The baby, little dirt ball, Dexter- just a brat, also asleep for the winter)
1.0.0 Rankins Dragons (Erik-a midget)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Beta - I can't remeber his name (just swims around)
0.0.1 Guinea Pig (Timothy)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)

it sounds good to me... good luck with that! also, if you have any other questions, please dont hesitate to ask. even though u may get some responses you may not like/want to hear, there will also be some good ones.
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~ Evie

Pets:
0.1.0 German Shepherd {Dusty}
0.1.0 German Shepherd/Collie mix {Shadoe}
0.0.2 RES turtles {Booger and Snot}
1.0.0 African Clawed Frog {Bingo}
0.0.1 Snail {Gary}

I'm from the Reading area and have been searching for somewhere to take my little sister's turtles(2). She got them without permission and cannot take care of them, and I really don't have any room for anymore turtles, otherwise I would just keep them for myself. She doesn't live with me or else I would help her out with them. If you would happen to find a rescue that will take turtles could you please post back on here? I've called around and even talked to people at petstores, and no one has been any help. So, I would appreciate it if you would let me know. Thanks!