Will a domesticated box turtle live in the wild?

Question

My son had a pet box turtle that he found (yes I know you shouldn't take them out of the wild), but anyway we had a male one for 14 years and lived in MD, we recently moved to FL and my boyfriend accidentally let him outside and he has gone missing. My questions are; can a domesticated box turtle live outside after being taken care of for 14 years? How far will he go, there is a small stream in the back of our house and I was thinking he may hang out there, and then there is woods behind that , so we may find him in there. I laid bananas out for him (his favorite). There are NO alligators around us, I have actually walked in the water looking for him. My son is absolutely sick, as I am . Please tell me what his prospects look like! Thanks!

Answer 1

The issue here is not his food supply, it's about his immunity to communicable parasites, infection, etc.  He is captive now, and within 6 months would have lost his immunities from being outside.  That would be what I'd worry about... not food.  

As a side note... how did the boyfriend "accidentally" let the turtle out?

Answer 2

Turtles can live for up to 2 weeks without food when they are adults so I wouldn't worry about that. As for predators the box turtle has a hinge that he can close for safety so he should be fine. Box turtles can't swim so it wouldn't be likely to find him by the steam. I'd say your best bet is searching the woods. Turtles have great instincts and he will most likely be able to catch his own food in the wild. However this may be a challenge after being in captivity for so long. Best of luck!

Answer 3

I use to work for wildlife rescue in florida. depending on what kind of a box turtle it is depends on weather it would be defined as native or non native. if for some reason it became ill or hurt and some one took it in to the wildlife care center near you AND it was non native, then it would not be re-released and you may be able to get him back. try giving your local wildlife rescue a photo of your turtle and explain your situation. Put up posters around your neighborhood, turtles can cover more distance than you think. does he have any defined features? a special shape in the patterns on his shell that you would be able to recognize? Box turtles are very hearty creatures and i have no doubt in my mind that he will be able to survive in the wild. but being around people makes them unafraid of predators like dogs and cars and loud people noises that would normally make them go in to defense mode. I would be worried if your house is near a busy road or perhaps you have neighbors with dogs.

your turtle is in fact native i just looked it up. it should be able to survive just fine on its own and no it is not an aquatic turtle so i agree with ...someone that said before me.. that you should look to the woods.

Answer 4

turtle are 90% instinct he will be ok

Answer 5

scauy has it right its about the diease and parasite in the local area he will have no reistance to these dieases as he is not from this area.

its 50-50 at best

Answer 6

No because they will be confused by weather conditions and predators(depending on if u kept him inside)

and FYI< dont let the turtle "swim" in the 5ft pool. box turtles cant swim

Answer 7

Not if he was native to MD. The food he would eat in the wild is most likely not available to him. Even if it was, he may not know what to do with it anymore. Also if he is not used to water, he may have drowned in the stream, box turtles cant swim....sorry.