Reptile & Amphibian Forums

1. How long would it take for a turtle that has been inside for all of it's life, to be adapted to outside in a babypool-pond? He's about 3-5 years old?

2. Do any of you know what I could cover the water in the pool with to prevent mosquitos? Like a tarp thing?

Thanks for your time, all replies would be GREATLY appriciated!!

Sa-mee

Mine get to spend every summer outdoors and start basking
within a day.

I wouldn't worry about the mosquitos. I wouldn't cover
the pond other than a small area of shade. I have a 165
gallon preformed pond and cover about 25% of it with a piece
of wood for privacy and additional shade.

The 2 main things you need to consider if they will
be outside without your supervision are...

1. You need to enclose it with something to keep predators
out like raccoons, dogs, cats and yes even kids. I have
my pond enclosed completely in a 6X6X6 chainlink dog
run. Also, you would need to provide some kind of
drainage for when it rains. I have holes drilled at
at certain depth so the water level never rises above
this level.

2. You need to make sure that it does not get sun exposure
all day so you do not overheat your turtles. Mine is
set up so it gets sun in the morning and late afternoon
otherwise it is in the shade. The enclosure is on the
East side of my home.

My way of doing things may seem a little over the top but
I can put my turtles out and never worry about them during
the summer which is very much worth a little planning.
Linda

Thanks so much for the reply.

Okay, I take the turtle out in the morning, and bring her back in when it starts to get dark. She's never outside when I'm not home... if I leave, I bring her inside to her aquarium. I just thought that the babypool would be a nice way to give her some variety, and good sun exposure.

but thanks again for the comment
Sa-Mee