Turtles

[fishin4cars]

As you all know, my turtles are box turtles -- and they already have an elaborate habitat set-up, not to mention a new pond that was built with them in mind

But I have thought about having an aquatic turtle as well. Of course, it would live in the "big" side of the pond and wouldn't have access to the enclosed boxie section. As with the boxies, my main concern would have to be how to contain the area so the aquatic(s) couldn't wander off. How do you guys handle that? Not sure I want to enclose the entire pond in a fence, but think I suggested to someone else once about pounding PVC pipe in the ground around the perimeter to make an above/below ground fence. Sounds like it would be easier than digging down and bricking, plus would give the ground water someplace to go.

On average, just how deep can/will an aquatic dig [ie -- how deep would an escape-proof "fence" need to be?], and is there a danger of climbing with these guys? Box turtles are escape artists: diggers AND climbers!

TM, There looks like there is going to be a reptile show in your area Jan. 12th and 13th. http://www.repticon.com/ Check them out if you can handle all the other slithery, crawly creatures. LOL Really, If you can it's a great experience. They should have plenty of captive born and raised turtles to choose from. Don't be afraid to talk to the vendors as many have good pointers on size, habitat, food, special requirements, etc. There are a couple of Youtube videos from last year if you want a preview of what to expect.

 

[Mmathis]

TM, There looks like there is going to be a reptile show in your area Jan. 12th and 13th. http://www.repticon.com/ Check them out if you can handle all the other slithery, crawly creatures. LOL Really, If you can it's a great experience. They should have plenty of captive born and raised turtles to choose from. Don't be afraid to talk to the vendors as many have good pointers on size, habitat, food, special requirements, etc. There are a couple of Youtube videos from last year if you want a preview of what to expect.

Hey, thanks, Larkin! Just followed that link and have it on my calendar! I have an internet buddy from PA who is a turtle-nut. She talks about attending "herp" shows.

 

[brandonsdad02]

We have had our turtle for 2 years now outside in our pond. We didn't put the fence around it til this spring. I think as long as your turtle has plenty of water to swim, plants to munch on, places to get dry and rosy reds to eat when it's wants to I don't think it would want to leave. At least that's what I tell myself as to why our turtle hasn't left and why another one that went MIA last year showed up in the pond this fall.

 

[Ruben Miranda]

Hello
It seems (Correct me if I am wrong) but there only a couple times of year is when they want out
and want to wander or look for other territory or maybe a matting thing or nesting.

As mine only seem to want to get out is at Spring and the latter part of summer, the rest of the time they are content in the pond and don't try to get out.

Ruben

 

[Mucky_Waters]

There are lots of factors that might get a turtle to wander, I'll bring up just a few.
Territory. For sure some turtles are territorial, and don't like other turtles in territory that they might claim as their own. In my case with Western Painted turtles, I have seen the larger, more aggressive turtles threaten other turtles by doing a particular technique of getting in their face and waving their front feet at the sides of the head. They don't try and bite them or anything, they just get right up in their face and wave their hands like that, and it seems to work. The other turtles get afraid and swim off as fast as they can. Oddly enough these same turtles have no problem sharing basking spots with each other, but once they get under water it's a different story. It must be the feeding spots they are protecting. In any case, when I had my old pond the larger aggressive turtle who claimed dominance was the one who stuck around, while the other ones disappeared, one by one.
Another reason turtles will wander is their homing tendency. Take a turtle from it's natural pond, or someone else's pond where it has been living for a few years, and place it in a new environment and it will want to try and get home. Lots of animals are like that. They get use to a certain place and know where to find food, they know where to sleep and hide, and put them in a totally new place and they lose all that and will want to return where they came from. That's why I think it's best to get turtles at as early an age as possible. before they are old enough to get comfortable in any place.
Another possible reason turtles might wander is they just don't find the place suitable. The pond might not be big or deep enough, maybe there is no place to hide under the water, maybe they see a dog always hanging out around the pond all the time, maybe all the big koi in the pond freak them out.
All kinds of reasons they could feel the urge to wander, even in large natural ponds they up and wander all the time, that's why you'll find them in so many places. It's just their natural instinct, and probably a lot more likely to happen in smaller, man made backyard ponds.

 

[Ruben Miranda]

Hello

Mucky Wrote:

they just get right up in their face and wave their hands like that, and it seems to work. The other turtles get afraid and swim off as fast as they can.

Actually that is there mating ritual, They will do this even when they are not mature. They are practicing/learning how.

Ruben

 

[Mucky_Waters]

Hello

Mucky Wrote:


Actually that is there mating ritual, They will do this even when they are not mature. They are practicing/learning how.

Ruben

So if turtles do this too much, does it have the same negative side effects on them that it has on young boys who "practice/learning how"? (eg; harry palms, blindness, insanity)

 

[Ruben Miranda]

Hello

Mucky Wrote:

So if turtles do this too much, does it have the same negative side effects on them that it has on young boys who "practice/learning how"? (eg; harry palms, blindness, insanity)

:razz: :razz: :razz: :razz:

Ruben

 

[mikedd]

Hi all i'm going to extend my pond by about another 3 ft in the spring to give my turtles a little more room when i get them, My question is regarding the water fall (see pics) The barrel on top has a 6ft brush curled inside as a secondry filter after the bio filter, At the moment it has a lid, Could i disgard the lid and drop some water hyacinth plants in with the brush or could anybody suggest an alternative suitable plant ?

 

[SmithRiverPond]

This guy showed up in my pond about a week ago. I believe him to be a Western Pond turtle (AKA Pacific Pond Turtle). It's difficult to get a good picture as I can't get very close. He disappears into the water too quickly. I think he must have come from a nearby creek. Can anyone confirm the type of turtle.

 

[Mmathis]

He’s certainly enjoying the sunshine!

 

[Tara]

Maybe it could be a yellow bellied slider, I'm not sure but it does kinda look like one. It really looks like it's made itself at home.

 

[mikedd]

My wife and i would love to have a turtle in the pond along with our 3 goldies4 orfe and 5 koi and 2 shubies but concerned about winter temps, at what temps would we have to bring them in house and to what type of tank,? It can get down to minus 6.Thanks in advance Mike

My wife and i would love to have a turtle in the pond along with our 3 goldies4 orfe and 5 koi and 2 shubies but concerned about winter temps, at what temps would we have to bring them in house and to what type of tank,? It can get down to minus 6.Thanks in advance Mike

Hi Tara sounds like you have roughly the same temps as we get,I leave mine out all winter i have an area in the pond that is 2 foot deeper than the rest of the pond which gives them approx 4 feet of water for winter hibernation hope this helps .

 

[mikedd]

Hi Tara sounds like you have roughly the same temps as we get,I leave mine out all winter i have an area in the pond that is 2 foot deeper than the rest of the pond which gives them approx 4 feet of water for winter hibernation hope this helps .

 

[Stephen Noble]

This guy showed up in my pond about a week ago. I believe him to be a Western Pond turtle (AKA Pacific Pond Turtle). It's difficult to get a good picture as I can't get very close. He disappears into the water too quickly. I think he must have come from a nearby creek. Can anyone confirm the type of turtle.

See if this link helps:http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/choose-a-species/reptiles/turtles/trachemys-scripta