Do turtles ever get smaller in size? If so, why?

Question

We have a little pet turtle in our fenced-in back yard, so he can live in the wild, but we can still go see him every now and then by finding him. There are trees, vegetation, grass...it is a very nice size for him with lots of shade, too. After going away for vacation for two weeks, we returned to find him apparently quite a bit smaller than before we left. ? His shell is really smaller!

We think there can only be two options:

1. Something is wrong and he is getting smaller because of it - in which case we need to know what it is so we can help him.

OR

2. It is - not likely - a different turtle. Our fence has always been closed, though, and a turtle (even this small) cannot fit through it. ?

(It is a box turtle - in case that matters.)

Expertise needed, please!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, your friend turtle is still out there somewhere, or managed to dig out.  The one you have found is another.  Turtles shells don't shrink.

Just tell the new one hello now and then, and keep searching for the other one.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Turtles can become dehydrated, but they cannot shrink. Sorry. You are mistaken.