I live in Northern Illinois found a tortoise and trying to figure out what kind and how to care for it?

Question

I found this tortoise walking across a road and heading towards a parking lot and railroad tracks. So I put him in a box and thought I would release him into a pond and forest/swampy grassland behind my home where there are other turtles and wildlife, but it would not go in the water and kept returning, not afraid of people so it had to have been a pet at some point. How do I figure out what kind of tortoise this is and how to care for it? From pictures I have pulled up it looks like a desert tortoise but I am not 100% sure. Will this tortoise survive Illinois' weather? What can I do to help it?

Answer 1

if it looks like a desert tortoise it could be someones sulcata that has got out of a pen.

Iding it would be the best because each species eat different.

I have sulcatas & small box turtles, you can look at my pictures.

Three toed box turtles look very different.

If you post a picture we can help more.

Answer 2

you have probably found a box turtle (it is a tortoise)  if you decide to keep it you will need a large aquarium or a large plastic bin, dirt floor, large dish of clean water and as for feeding

turtles like red foods, try cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes, strawberries, etc. you can also try squash, chopped collard greens or any of the dark green lettuces (don't use iceberg lettuce) once or twice a week feed canned dog food

you'll soon figure out what he likes best and what he won't eat

also provide some sort of hiding place for him (like a small upside down box_

good luck

Answer 3

well, we can't really help unless you can show us some pictures of the turtle/tortoise?

without a def. ID we could give you the wrong answers.

However, i think you should let it go where you found it regardless of its species.

Answer 4

Without pictures we can't ID it. If it is a tortoise it doesn't live in water. If it is a desert tortoise then it was someones pet that got away, and it will not survive the cold. I would try to find a vet or vet school that works with turtles and tortoises, a rescue to help ID it.

Answer 5

ID- if you post a photo, we can try to help you- but it is easier to post photos in places like http://www.turtleforum.com where a lot of turtle experts can help.

If it really IS a tortoise, it is an escaped pet since there are no native tortoises in N. Ill.. Contact the local animal shelter to see if anyone lost theirs. Hopefully, it is not a true Desert Tortoise as they are terrible pets and very regulated in the US.

If it is a native turtle or Box Turtle, let it go where you found it in a safe place.

Answer 6

if it is a tortoise, it does not live in the water.  it lives on land. a desert tortoise in Illinois?  well, anything is possible.  you should let it go in the same area that you found it.  the turtle was on a mission and didn't need your help.

Answer 7

The best way you can help it is by visiting a pet store, or even better, a veterinarian. You can buy a book on tortoises and how to keep them as pets or about their natural habitats. You can also ask the vet or one of the employees in the store about how to care for it, what it eats, etc. I'm sure an animal shelter will take it, too. And try visiting you local library.