Turtles?

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Many years ago I bought couple turtles at our local fish hatchery. At the time I kept both koi, comet and shubunkin. Maybe I "over thought" the situation, but I became concerned they would wonder off, so put up fencing , then I worried they'd dig under the fence so I buried part of the fencing. Then I was concerned they wouldn't over winter well in a liner pond and my filtration was inadequate.......so I took them back to the fish hatchery ;)
 

addy1

water gardener / gold fish and shubunkins
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We have wild turtles, but they are land not water. I had to make climb out spots so if they fell into the pond they could get out.
 
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There are definitely pond people who keep turtles too - but as @Tula said, turtles won't stay in a pond if they aren't somehow contained.

@Mmathis keeps turtles, but hers are box turtles which live mainly on land. I haven't see her around in a while - maybe spring will bring her out of hibernation, too!
 
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I HAD a Red Slider. First, it ate a baby koi then it took off. I'm not sure where it thought it would find a better life but I didn't bother looking for it.
 
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I HAD a Red Slider. First, it ate a baby koi then it took off. I'm not sure where it thought it would find a better life but I didn't bother looking for it.

I think before I get one I will go around and block areas where one could escape.
 
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Tula's response is right on the money. They will escape unless your pond is specifically designed with turtles in mind. Our oldest turtle is now 33 years old and she has confounded me so many times. They are amazing escape artists! Anyway, I hope your project is a success!
 

Jhn

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Have 2 Northern diamondback terrapins in my pond for 11 years, stay in it year round. They don’t mess with the fish or plants. Agree with the others design your pond so they can’t escape via digging or climbing.
 

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