is it safe to release a turtle into the wild

Pet turtles

should never be released into the wild! Releasing a non-native turtle in the wild can be dangerous for the turtle and disrupt an entire ecosystem. There are a lot of reasons why you shouldn’t release a pet turtle in the wild.

Full Answer

Can pet turtles be released into the wild?

Pet turtles should never be released into the wild! Releasing a non-native turtle in the wild can be dangerous for the turtle and disrupt an entire ecosystem. There are a lot of reasons why you shouldn’t release a pet turtle in the wild.

Is it legal to own a turtle?

The turtle you picked up may be alive, but if you take it home, it can no longer contribute any breeding effort. As it relates to its own species, it may as well have been killed. Is it Legal to Own a Wild Turtle? Collecting turtles in the wild is prohibited in many jurisdictions, either for at-risk species or for all kinds.

Are pet turtles harmful to the environment?

If a pet turtle is lucky enough to survive in the wild it can cause a lot of harm to the ecosystem. They can do this in a multitude of ways, here are some examples: Pet turtles can carry bacteria that is harmless to them but which is dangerous for other species.

Are turtles contagious to other animals?

Even if the turtle looks and acts like its feeling well it can still carry pathogens that will wipe out entire populations of wild turtles. Your turtle could be immune but be a carrier and therefore highly contagious to other turtles. Wild turtles live in areas where the food will sustain their needs.

Should I release my turtle into the wild?

If you have a turtle you no longer want, keep trying to find it a home or find a way to "put it to sleep," as we say euphemistically with dogs and cats. Whatever you do, do not release a pet red-eared slider turtle back into the wild.

What happens when you release a turtle into the wild?

Once a turtle is in captivity it should not be released back into the wild for the following reasons: The turtle can spread disease picked up in captivity to other turtles in the wild. Pathogens, viruses, and bacteria are not always presented in the form of a symptom.

Can I release my red eared slider into the wild?

Those who buy a slider must keep it indoors and must never release it into the wild, including into a private pond.

Can turtles survive if released?

I completely agree that a store-bought turtle or a non-native turtle should not be released into the wild, even if the environment simulates his natural environment. Pet store turtles most likely carry diseases, which could affect native turtles and the entire ecosystem.

What do you do with a turtle you don't want?

​If you absolutely cannot keep your turtle, consider one of the following options. Post an ad in the office of local pet stores and veterinary offices, or community publications. Petco and Petsmart typically allow ads to be posted. Some animal control agencies and humane societies will accept turtles.

Can I let my turtle go in a pond?

Turtles can make an excellent addition to your pond, although they do need considerable care and are not suitable for children. The best type is aquatic, as they will rapidly acclimate themselves to the pond environment.

What happens if you turn a turtle around?

The turtle is on a mission, and if you turn it around, it will simply go back across the road when you drive away. Finally, DO NOT relocate them. Many turtles have "Home Ranges", a territory they call home, and when relocated, they will search out ways back or just stop eating.

What to do if you find a turtle?

1:503:14What to Do If You See a Turtle in the Road - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWalk the turtle in the direction the turtle was walking. Do keep in mind that turtles can carryMoreWalk the turtle in the direction the turtle was walking. Do keep in mind that turtles can carry salmonella. Even if they look fine. So it's just a really good idea to wash your hands.

What do you do if you find a turtle in your backyard?

The best thing to do for any turtle you see in a yard is to leave it alone. They instinctively know what direction to go when they are on their own. Relocating them will cause them to search for where they were headed and create more hazards.

Why you should not relocate turtles?

Don't relocate turtles to new areas, even if you think their current location is odd (unless it is obviously hazardous, such as a busy parking lot). Moving them to an unfamiliar location can subject them to foreign diseases and parasites that they lack a natural immunity to, so that should be avoided.

Can I release a box turtle?

Instead of releasing pets into the wild, it's better to drop them off at a local animal shelter or veterinarian. Box turtles like warm weather, but if it gets too hot, they will seek some protection from the sun.

Can you return box turtle to the wild?

It's best never to remove a box turtle from their home unless you have a good reason. And if you return them to the wild, it must be in the exact same spot you took them from. If you want a box turtle as a pet, it is recommended that you always buy one that was bred in captivity to begin with.

What do you do if you find a turtle in your backyard?

The best thing to do for any turtle you see in a yard is to leave it alone. They instinctively know what direction to go when they are on their own. Relocating them will cause them to search for where they were headed and create more hazards.

Can you put a turtle back in the lake?

Never release a turtle directly into a lake/pond unless you are absolutely positive that it is an aquatic turtle. Box turtles (that look a whole lot less "boxy" when they're babies) cannot swim. If you mistakenly throw a box turtle or tortoise into a pond, it will drown.

Can you keep a turtle you found?

0:031:36How to Care for a Wild Turtle | Pet Turtles - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's actually legal for you to take that turtle home and attempt to make it a to turn it into aMoreAnd it's actually legal for you to take that turtle home and attempt to make it a to turn it into a pet they also don't make particularly good pets they're not used to captivity.

What to do if you find a turtle?

1:503:14What to Do If You See a Turtle in the Road - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWalk the turtle in the direction the turtle was walking. Do keep in mind that turtles can carryMoreWalk the turtle in the direction the turtle was walking. Do keep in mind that turtles can carry salmonella. Even if they look fine. So it's just a really good idea to wash your hands.

Why can't turtles be released back into the wild?

Once a turtle is in captivity it should not be released back into the wild for the following reasons: The turtle can spread disease picked up in captivity to other turtles in the wild. Pathogens, viruses, and bacteria are not always presented in the form of a symptom. Even if the turtle looks and acts like its feeling well it can still carry ...

How to keep a tortoise from releasing?

Minimal contact with the tortoise will make for an easier transition as release time approaches. Keep all wild turtles and tortoises on a natural diet and avoid processed or canned foods. You want the turtle or tort to pick up where he left off once released. You must keep their environment sterile at all times.

What is the goal of wildlife rehab?

A wildlife rehabber’s main goal is always to return their patients to the wild IF the animal occurs naturally in that particular area of the country. In the case of Florida Gopher tortoises, extreme care most be used to see that the tortoise NEVER comes into contact with any other species of turtles or tortoises while being held in captivity. ...

Where do wild turtles live?

Wild turtles live in areas where the food will sustain their needs. If everyone who decided his or her turtle would be better off free, think again. If you release the turtle into an area that is already heavy with native turtles, you end up with a situation where they are all competing for a limited amount of food.

Can a non-hibernating turtle die in a cold climate?

For instance, a non-hibernating turtle such as a Mexican Wood turtle or an African sideneck released in a cold climate like Tennessee, Maine, or anywhere there is potential for freezing weather will surely die.

Can a turtle starve?

In addition, if your turtle was a pet and has relied on you for food, he may not be the strongest hunter and will slowly and painfully starve to death when he cannot find food easily. In some cases release is necessary as it pertains to wildlife rehabilitation.

What happens if a turtle is released in the wild?

If multiple turtles are released in the wild and they manage to survive long enough to reproduce then this means that the baby turtles will also be able to survive. So basically there is a new species living in that ecosystem, and this can lead to overpopulation, which can lead to fights for food between species and many other bad things.

Why do wild turtles have to be on alert?

A wild turtle will have to always be on alert because a predator can come at any moment and attack them, and those predators won’t leave them alone just because the turtle tried to bite them.

Why do turtles interact with each other?

Turtles aren’t social animals by any means, most of them interact with each other just to reproduce and to fight over food, basking spots and reproduction partners. But they still interact and as they interact more and more over time they will get better at this and they will know how to intimidate the opponent so they don’t have to fight and how to attract another turtle to mate. Those social skills are very important for a turtle even if they use them very rarely.

Why are turtles scared of humans?

You can tell that they are scared because they will hide in the aquarium and they will retract in their shells.

How long can a baby turtle last with a cricket?

And also baby turtles require less food. For example a baby turtle can last an entire day with just a cricket, but the same amount of food will only be enough for half a day for an adult turtle.

Why don't turtles adapt to life?

So a turtle that is used to just get its food without any effort won’t adapt too well to this way of living, and it’s not because they aren’t trying, it’s because they’ve spent a lot of years in captivity where they didn’t get the chance to use their skills so they’ve lost them.

How to sell a turtle?

Place an add online and sell your turtle to somebody who is willing to take care of it. It’s a good idea to also sell the equipment or at least some of it to that person. This way they will have everything they need to take care of the turtle and the turtle will have the proper conditions.

PDXnobody

I would assume, as with most wild animals once they become reliant on humans as a food source, they tend to loose their natural survival instincts. Thats just my 0.02. Im sure it can be done with a "taper" method, gradually acclimating them to the outdoors but I will bet there is a poor success rate. What is its age now?

Clayton

In my personal opinion you shouldn't release the animal yourself. If it is a wild animal release it to the care of a wildlife rehab organization or something similar. They should have a means of properly evaluating the animal and developing a successful plan for its release should it be a viable candidate.

Barry

have you checked your local laws regarding releasing the animal. You could get into trouble if someone tells your local department of wildlife what you are doing!

BoxieLover

Contact your county Wildlife Rehab person. They can possibly take the turtle, rehab it and release it. To find that person in your area, call your County Information Line or call your Department of Natural Resources or Dept.

Guest Jozzep

A rescue is the "right" place for him at this point, but if you do decide to release it, the place where you took it from to begin with would be the best option.

Guest Jozzep

A rescue is the "right" place for him at this point, but if you do decide to release it, the place where you took it from to begin with would be the best option.

Polistes

Why would you recue something from the wild if you cant care for it for its full life? Releasing pets is illegal in most states, and as stated its not a good idea, contact the DNR to see what they can do about it.

How to find a new home for a turtle?

Contact a veterinarian office or a pet store, and talk about possibly setting up an advert in order to find a new home for your turtle.

What should you do instead of releasing a Red Eared Slider into the wild?

Hopefully, we’ve made it absolutely clear that you should not release your Red Eared Slider turtle out into the wild, under any circumstances at all. Just don’t do it.

Will a Red Eared Slider turtle survive if released into the wild?

But what about this turtle type? Would it survive?

Can a red ear slider survive?

So to sum it up, the answer is pretty much a yes. Your Red Eared Slider turtle would probably survive being released into the wild. Whether the local wildlife survives is another thing…as your turtle is a highly invasive species.

Do red ear slider turtles survive?

Red Eared Slider turtles have a very high probability of surviving out in the wild after being released, and they will thrive in almost any habitat as long as it has the right temperature range.

Is it illegal to release a red ear slider turtle?

In regards to legality, it is absolutely and completely illegal to release a Red Eared Slider turtle out into the wild.

Can a red ear slider be domesticated?

But here is the thing; Your Red Eared Slider turtle might have been born in captivity, but it hasn’t been domesticated.

How to keep a turtle alive?

Heat sources and UV light setups are necessary to keep turtles healthy , and the heat and moisture levels have to be tightly controlled. Because of these complicated needs, most wild-caught turtles quickly die in captivity. 8  And if you manage to keep yours alive, remember that most species can live a long time.

Where to put a turtle when it comes from a wetland?

Place it down well off the road shoulder. If the turtle appears to have come from a wetland visible from the road, don’t return it there. That turtle will likely have to cross the road once again, on her way to another wetland or to a nesting site.

How long does it take for a turtle to breed?

Turtles invest a lot of time and energy in developing a strong, heavy shell to protect themselves from predators. As a result, they do not start breeding until late in life. Even a large mammal like a whitetail deer can breed when it reaches a year old, 1  but snapping turtles have to wait five or six years. 2  Some exceptionally long-lived species start even later—eastern box turtles and Blanding's turtles don’t breed until they are 10 and 17 years old, respectively. 3  4 

Why do turtles have hard shells?

The hard shell evolved to protect turtles from predators does little to prevent being killed by a car. As road networks grew and fragmented turtle habitats over the last half-century, roadkill has been the fate of innumerable adults.

How many eggs do spotted turtles lay?

Few Turtles Reach Adulthood. After the long wait to breed, a spotted turtle will lay up to seven eggs 5  and a box turtle up to eight. 3  Unfortunately, the chances are high that an egg will be dug out and eaten by a raccoon, a fox, or a snake, among other predators.

What to do if you find a turtle crossing a road?

If you find a turtle crossing a road, the best response would be to allow it to cross safely unimpeded. Remember: Do not put your own safety at risk! If there is a risk of cars coming, you can move the traveling turtle along across the road, in the direction it was headed to. Place it down well off the road shoulder.

What do turtles eat?

Turtles may have very specific food requirements. Sure, some species will be satisfied with store-bought dried shrimp meals, but others require snails, aquatic insects, and similar hard-to-find items.

What is the difference between a red-eared slider and a painted turtle?

Firstly, the name “Red-eared slider” is not without merit as the turtles possess a red streak below each of its eyes, a feature absent among Western painted turtles. The two species also differ significantly between in regard to their shell, with Western painted turtles possessing smooth, flat carapaces (top of the shell) and a red plastron (shell bottom) which are features absent in the Red-eared slider.

How do invasive species become established?

One common method in which invasive species can become established in an area is through intentional release by humans. Well-meaning pet owners may release their pets into what may seem to be idyllic habitat, either due to an inability to provide a sufficient level of care for their pet or because the pet itself becomes too burdensome for the original owner. Although many may see this as a humane option, it is frequently a vehicle in which harmful species can become introduced beyond their native habitat, wreaking havoc on local ecosystems. One pertinent example is the humble Goldfish, often released into ponds with devastating results. The US Fish and Wildlife Service states that “when conditions are right, a pet Goldfish released into the wild can grow to the size of football and weigh up to four pounds. Voracious eaters and the carriers of parasites, their presence in our waters is bad news for native fish.”

Can you dry and freeze aquatic plants?

Dry and freeze unwanted aquatic plants and add them to non-composted trash.