My Turtles...?

Question

So, i have 9 box turtles and i'm leaving for college in about two months. My mom said that she can't take care of them by herself because my brother won't help her, so we have to find a place to let them go. We have a backyard but it is super tiny and we asked some neighbors if they wanted my turtles and they said no. Does any one have any ideas on where i could let them go where they wouldn't get run over or hurt?

Answer 1

You could contact your local pet stores. Maybe you could donate them to the stores and they can find them a good home. One of the pet store may even buy them from you. They sell for $40.00 each here in Iowa.

Another suggestion would be to release them together near a water source, such as a lake or pond.

Answer 2

I would see if I could give them to a pet store,

they can buy it from you as long as they are in good health.

That way, someone that can take care of them will buy them,

and you wouldn't have to worry.

If that's not exactly your idea, you can always try and find a pond. Just make sure that it's a big enough pond that it isn't always with the ducks and all, turtles like their space and rocks especially in more water. Although a bigger pond next to a playground or something with a lot of other turtles is another good place to let them free. They can happily be with others and know that there are other turtles with them.

Another alternative is asking around if anyone wants any turtles. You can post ads and such in the newspaper, or put it on some bulletin post downtown. You can negotiate the price with them, and how many they would like, and if you want- make sure that their place is a good environment for the turtles. (e.g. They have a tank, rocks to go in the water, know what their nutrition is, know that they're going to be in a sunny place with fresh water, etc).

Yes, maybe some neighbors said no,

but if you looked around past your neighborhood, than you could maybe find someone in search for a turtle.

I know I am; but it's illegal to have baby turtles in my state, and the full-grown ones are too big for my tanks.

Have a good day and good luck! =]

Glad you're finding them a good home.

-Mairy

Answer 3

PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS! It is illegal in many places to release captive animals, EVEN if they were captured in the area (legally or not).

The problems with releasing them are many, but some basics include:

- They will carry diseases that they are resistant to but the wild population will not be

- Unless they are released in their home range within about a half mile, within about 8 months of capture, they will not know the area- how to be safe from predators, how to find the good food, how to deal with hibernation, etc.

- Released animals rarely mate and add to the local population, but they eat the food that local animals need, and so make it harder for the locals to thrive.

- If you release them in some turtle's territories, they will probably have a mock combat and someone is going to loose.

- Box turtles are endangered in most of their habitat, and unless you are a reptile rehabber following very careful rules, the turtles you release will hurt the wild population in many ways, and there is almost no way it can help them.

Your options include:

- Contact a local animal shelter, pet shop, nature center, school, herpetological society, etc.

- Use the forums at places like http://www.turtleforum.com to share your story and see of anyone will take them

Released pets of many species are an increasing problem for wild animals. Many animal protection groups have actually started teaching that it is better to euthanize animals than to release them if you find no other options. I hate to support this option, but I have seen the reports of what happens to wild populations in these situations and DO NOT want it to keep happening.

Answer 4

please find a turtle rescue in your area to take the turtles.  do not release them.  especially do not release a land turtle into a pond.

Answer 5

See if you can find a rescue near you to help rehome them.

I know a lot of people with box turtles if you want to get in touch I may be able to get you in touch with them

Try these sites also

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA...

http://www.turtlerescues.org/

this last site is in NY but deals with people all over the US and may be able to help you rehome them.

Please do not let them go.

They will not make it.

Answer 6

im not really into turtles so i wouldnt know. :p but do box turtles swim??? you could let them out at a public pond or a river.

when my brother let his turtle out she was very little. we went to this place that has a big pond and a playground. hundreds of pretty big turtles were swimming there. thats where we let her out and as far as i know she did pretty well on her own.