OK...I didn't want to talk about this when it happened...

[Sandye]

but about a week (week and 1/2?) after my RES escaped, we had another overnight downpour of about 4"-5" inches and the other one left, too.  I had just fed him the day before and checked the water level and I'll swear it was at least 4 or 5 inches below the top of the tub.  The next morning, the tub was overflowing and my second RES was nowhere in sight.   I think someone up there decided it was time for me to release them...both.   

I feel a little strange because I am no longer a turtle owner after all this time.  Oh, well, maybe I'll find another one to raise someday.   

[joeyb5980]

Sorry to hear about your escapee..... Hopefully you will find another and have better look with keeping him around 

[Jerry]

Maybe it will find water near by.  here there is little chance they would survive.

[Ky Kim]

Awww, dag gone it.  I know you liked your RES very much.  Like the others have said, maybe you will find another one day to raise.

Kim

[Sandye]

Joey, I've had them for six years, since the day they were born.  We just haven't had the kind of rain that we've had this year...which allowed them to get out of their tub.  Ungrateful little guys.      I originally intended to release them when they were big enough to survive and then got attached to them.

Jerry, I'm sure he and his escapee brother will be all right because there are two farm ponds close by, and they will probably return to one of them.  They're going to have to find their own food, tho...rather than having it given to them every day.

Thanks, Kim!  Like I said, it just feels a little strange not to have them around any more.   

[karen J]

Sandye, was your tub above ground? I'm thinking that you could drill holes 5" below the top of the tub (at water level), and that would keep any extra water from allowing them to escape... but alas, it's too late now. I hope they have a happy life. And if they don't, perhaps they will come back to you.

[Sandye]

Karen, I thought about that, too...after it happened.      We just haven't been having much rain the last few years, and the tub overflowing overnight never really occurred to me.      I've had to dump out excess water before, but not very often.  Believe me, if I ever have a RES outside in a tub again, it will have some overflow holes.

I don't really think they'll come back.  Turtles are a bit like snakes, in that they don't have a lot of brainpower/loyalty/attachment to their keepers.  One of them used to pop his head up begging for food, but that was about the extent of it.  I enjoyed them while I had them, but now I just hope they manage to find their own food after all this time.   I think/hope their instincts will kick in and they will be OK.   

[LeeAnne151]

Oh no, so sorry. I'm sure their instincts will kick in and they will find the farm ponds and catch food just fine.