HELP! I found a turtle in my backyard.

Tom Nayder [ Sun Jul 18 2010 7:59 PM ]

I found this turtle in my backyard this evening. I need the following questions answered:

What kind of turtle is it?

How the hell did it get in my yard? My neighbor has turtles in his yard but we have a wall separating us. Could it have burrowed under?

Public Comments (10)

- Nick Brown
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- Since 2007-01-10
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That's a box turtle! [ Mon Jul 19 2010 8:25 AM ]

And, yes, he might have burrowed under the wall, except they do most of their burrowing in the fall and wake up in the spring. This is pretty late for a turtle to wake up. We had six of them in our yard in protective segregated custody against the crazy dog. Eventually, the crazy dog broke into the vegetable garden and killed one so we gave the rest away, which still makes me sad. The same dog killed one of our bullfrogs recently, too. We still have at least two bullfrogs left, though, and one of them is about the size of a Lotaburger. He's probably eating birds by now, and he's not afraid of anything.
- gitagovinda
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He's cute! [ Mon Jul 19 2010 1:46 PM ]

They eat gross bugs and other yard critters (snails and such).
- m_c_zero
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... [ Mon Jul 19 2010 3:20 PM ]

Eat it.
- pencil
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I found a different kind of turtle in my backyard. What kind is it? [ Mon Jul 19 2010 3:55 PM ]
- romaine
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dude, pencil [ Mon Jul 19 2010 10:36 PM ]

that is the most loving and harmless turtle out there.
Give him love.
Last edited [7/19/10 10:38 PM]
- rgstejskal
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your box turtle..... [ Wed Jul 21 2010 12:39 PM ]

Your box turtle is actually a tortoise; basically a land turtle. They wander a lot, especially the males (see? it's in our genes!). They can climb and dig pretty much into anywhere. They love bugs, but also like cantalope, strawberries, dog food, brocolli. And, can get to come running for their food. They love to sit in their water dishes even though they don't normally live in water.
The other turtle is a rattling tortoise.....you're on your own.
- soliver
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Aww so Cute! [ Wed Jul 21 2010 8:16 PM ]

I have two small red ear turtles.
I've always wanted a bigger turtle for my backyard.
If you do not keep you should totally let me have it :-)
- JJehosaphat
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Red eared slider vs. yellow bellied slider but not vs. box turtle which is a tortoise. [ Wed Jul 21 2010 9:33 PM ]

They can breed but only one is a yellow bellied slider, while the other will always have red ears and look just like a yellow belly.With red ears. That's why they call it the red eared slider. UNM duck pond has both.There are also soft shelled needle nose turtles, which like to get up on the lawn at the duck pond. They're big enuff to hold their own vs. a dog....
- pinkie
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Rio Grande Turtle & Tortoise Club [ Wed Jul 28 2010 12:39 PM ]

That's a box turtle. I suggest you contact the Rio Grande Turtle and Tortoise Club for expert information on the care of box turtles or for adoption placement if you don't intend to keep it. Their website is [link] and their general information email is info@rgttc.org. From your picture, it appears as though your turtle may have metabolic bone disease (I'm not certain of this since I can't see the real turtle or a more focused photo, but its shell appears lumpy and turned up at the edges in your photo). MBD can be treated, with proper care. Lettuce is NOT recommended food for box turtles. Again, contact the RGTTC for information, please.
- JOANNA13
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Florida Box Turtle. [ Wed Jul 28 2010 10:07 PM ]

Look up ''Florida Box Turtle Hatchlings'' & google the images, it is exactly what you have got there.
He looks healthy enough to me from the photo. Young turtles, [Not Tortoises] are carnivores by nature, & prefer small amounts of canned dog food, or even specially prepared cans of box turtle food,usually sold at Petco, & stores like it. This can be mixed in with all sorts of fresh vegetables.
When they are older, they become omnivores, & will eat just about anything.
At both stages, they like to hunt & will eat insects.
Right now, make sure he has plenty of water, with a shallow bowl big enough so he climb in & soak. He needs to be kept hydrated, even though he is a land turtle. This is crucial to his survival.
If you plan to keep him, he will need heat lamps & a habitat,
easy enough, just go to any good pet store or contact a good Herpetology club & they can tell you how to set him up.
Really nice that you rescued him !!!!!!