Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My fiance has been bugging me that we should let the Boxturtle that were were given by a boy next door go.

We dont know when where it was captured .. it might have been caught down the road ..

i would like to take it to our new place and make an out side box for it .. but he wants to let it go because that would be to much work

My fiances mother even is on the band wagon wanting me to tell Brittany the owner of the turtle ( Who is very attached) that he would like to go live in the pond *rme* ... She also wants me to let the RES turtle die ... Grrrrr .. she obviously doesnt like turtles

I personally think it would be best if we kept the box turtle and put it on an outdoor cage .. i would like to find a way if possible to release any baby turtles that may develop into the wild (hopefully as eggs so they stay in that area)

Need some advice PLEASE

Box turtles are very territorial. If you let it go it will probably hunt for it's home range and would most likely not survive. If you know where it came from I don't see a problem letting it go if it has not been with any other turtles. Then on the other hand, many States have provisions which make it illegal to do such a thing once it has been taken out of the wild.
Your best options are to keep it or find a good home for it. There are plenty of people who would love a pet boxie if you can't take care of it.
Ed

I knew that im just trying to figure out how to convince my fiance to keep it .. when we first got her he thought it was all cool now he doesnt want to build an out side containment for it ... i think i could do it pretty cheap .. i even told him i would dig for it

if i let the turtle go where i have heard it might have been taken from it will be right back in the hands of the kids around here .. and the one that brought it up here was very abusive .. dropping it off tables .. banging it around .. HE FEED IT HOT WINGS AND BANNANAS * getting all worked up about how bad the poor turtle was treated *

i want to keep it .. and im trying to find some other ways to tell him shes a good thing other than its his daughters pet ( My fiances mom says that she will forget about the turtle if we get her a kitten.. *rme* she will not ... You should see how attached she is to this turtle *G* )

Weren't there two kids who originally found the turtle? Get one of them to tell you where they found it. They wouldn't have to go with you when you release her. Even if you end up releasing her 50 yards away from where she was found, she'll have much better odds of finding her way back to her home turf from there than if you let her go someplace at random.
Make up some story about wanting to find her a friend and wanting to look in the same area, or any story you want...
I know you were concerned about them finding her again, but if you think about how good they are at hiding, etc., the boys will probably never find her again. I don't always see each of mine every day, and they're in a pen!

we have tried every trick to get them to tell .. and we have heard several stories and they have multiplied ... and it doesn help that neither of them speak good english .. * sighs*

I thought I'd read in a previous post that they'd originally given you a general idea of where they'd found her. Sorry!
I can only speak from personal experience about the other aspect of this scenario: that is, when your boyfriend and inlaws-to-be are people that you are relying on to help, and they won't cooperate, then be prepared to do EVERYTHING yourself. And if you're not able to pay for, build for and care for on your own, you may be asking for trouble.
Don't mean to sound like a total pessimist, but if the novelty has already worn off for them, it might be best to explore other options.
I hope you come up with a good solution!

I explained the plight of the Box Turtle and how much they are worth not only to wild but in captivity ... and reminded him of how much his daughter cares for the turtle ( and she called today to check on the turtle .. *G* shes so smart )

So Hes said okay to the out side cage and that that would be the best idea *G* WOOHOOO

Get a new fiancee..JUST KIDDING! But really, it will be tough for you to care for this turtle the way he deserves to be cared for it you can't work as a family to insure his good health. Did you know box turtles can live 50 years or MORE?! This turtle deserves a good, long life.

Where do you live? Maybe there is a rescue group close by who will be willing to adopt the turtle to a family prepared to care for the turtle?

Is it wooded in your area? If this is a wild caught turtle and there are deep woods close by (not near the those children), perhaps you can let it go deep into the woods. At least it has a chance for a happy life.

I know you are trying to do what is best for this turtle. The best would be to have an outdoor home and good, CONSISTENT care. If you don't think you can guarantee that 100%, then I think you know what needs to be done in the best interst of the turtle. Good luck
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Tess
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