One of my Red-Eared Sliders escaped!

[Sandye]

I'm kinda down in the dumps, because I'll miss him.   :'(  I've had him and his brother for six years now...since my DH found them on the day they hatched.     I originally planned to raise them for a couple of years (to give them a chance to survive in the wild), but then a couple of years ago I realized that if I released them in the farm pond, I'd never see them again.  Therefore, I've put them outside in the summer and brought them in for the winter for six years.

We've had a LOT of rain recently, and I let their little "mini pond" get too full of water.  Usually I get out there and empty some of the water so they can't climb out...but I didn't this time.   

Logically, I shouldn't feel too sad.  I've felt a bit guilty about not releasing them to have a normal life and have a chance to sire more little RES's.  Little Guy was full grown for a RES, and so should be able to take care of himself if he finds a pond.   

[Jerry]

You ,at least have water near by, the guy has a chance.  if mine escapes it doomed. :'(

[Sandye]

Yes, Jerry, I have my fish pond VERY close to where the turtle tank was and then the farm pond out in the pasture...where my little guys momma came from, I'm sure.  I just hope he heads for water and doesn't try to cross the highway.  If he got in my fish pond, he's going to have a hard time finding a place to bask and he won't be able to get out because the rocks overhang the pond.

Did you buy your RES or find him? 

[barb]

Oh, how sad!!  Maybe he will come back. 

[Sandye]

Thanks, Barb.  I am sad he's gone.   

I don't think he'll come back tho.  Turtles like to wander if they're given the chance. 

[LeeAnne151]

Good that he has native habitat near by. I'm sure he'll be fine. I'm sure you'll miss him though.

[Pa Nancy]

Ahh!!! So sorry to hear that. They are master escapers.  The fence around the pond has to be into the ground at least 6 inches or so, or they will dig a hole out.

[Sandye]

Nancy, they weren't in a pond.  They were in a 30-gal. black feed tub from the farm store.  They couldn't escape from it before because their island was in the middle and I always kept the water about 3-4" from the top of the tub.  The reason one was able to finally climb out was because the tub got too full from the rain (and I didn't get my b*tt out there to empty some of the water out  ).  Therefore, he could reach the edge while swimming in the water.  Then he had about an 18" fall to the ground...which would have been fairly soft and covered with vinca.

LeeAnne, I will miss him and I was a bit upset when I found out he was gone, but at least I still have one left.     I guess the habitat couldn't be any more native since they were hatched in our yard.   

[Pa Nancy]

Oh I see.  He was a smarty pants. Probably been waiting for the opportunity.

[Sandye]

Nancy, yes he was...how'd you know that???  He was always the most active of the two, and the least shy, and the one trying to climb out when I put them in a little bucket while I was changing the water in the tub.  Maybe it was meant to be for him to back in the wild!   

[LeeAnne151]

Born free, as free as the wind blows, as free as the grass grows.........

Meant to be uplifting not rub salt in your wound.

[Sandye]

Thanks, LeeAnne!