Evacuating?

[areias]

I live in the Tampa area of FL..as most of you know we're expecting a hurricane somewhere between the keys and the peninsula of FL. If we decide to leave to go to the east coast to stay with my aunt, what do you guys think would be the best way to transport two bettas and a turtle? :confused:

I'm already planning on leaving my college dorm and head over to my parents house (I'm 4 stories up) but if we have to make the drive over to the east coast...should I try to get some smaller jars for the bettas? Would they make it a couple days in those? I would probably not be able to set them up at my aunts house. I do have one KritterKeeper, and a similar betta setup but I'm concerned about too much splashing around.

And the turtle...I'm not sure what I should do. I'm definately going to take his tank with me. I have several very heavy blocks that I use for his basking area, I'm not sure if I should take these (he dosen't get up there anyway...). I have his box that I brought him home in, but how many hours can he go without being in water? :( This is my first year dealing with something other than dogs.

Thank you for any replies.

[trayi52]

I know nothing about the bettas and the turtle, but I just want to wish you and yours a safe trip, and tell you my prayers are with you. Be safe!

Willie

[wolfie]

When I lived in a dorm, I used to bring my goldfish home on vacation in a plastic tupperware container. I got a deep one, so the water wouldn't splash over. If it's an airtight one make sure you put holes in the lid. And then I carried another container (you could use an old milk jug) with some of their old water. I'd dump the old water into the tank when we got home, and then float the tupperware in the tank for 30 minutes, to even out the temperatures. If a fish gets put into new water, or water of a different temp, it could shock it. My fish did okay that way.

Since bettas are known for being able to live in small amounts of water, I wouldn't think it'd hurt them to have them live in tupperwares for a few days if you go to your aunts. But I'm not a betta person, I had goldfish. There are a lot of betta people here though, maybe they can help!

I don't know about turtles, so I looked online and found this page:
http://www.vhs.com.au/pages/CareSheet_FreshWaterTurtles.html

"TRANSPORTING TURTLES

Turtles should never be transported in water filled containers as they are at risk of breathing water into their lungs, which could lead to pneumonia and death. Instead, turtles should be lightly wrapped in slightly damp, not saturated, rags or towels. Never use moistened pillowcases, as the tight weave does not allow for easy breathing when wet.

Place the turtle in a container in a cool area away from draughts and never leave them in direct sunlight. "

and here is another site:
http://www.matts-turtles.org/hold.html

" How to Transport a Turtle

1. Get a strong plastic container, such as one made by Rubbermaid ®, that is only slightly larger than your turtle and shallow enough so that when it is covered, the turtle can't flip over on its back. A small container prevents a turtle from moving around and possibly hurting itself. Never put more than one turtle in a container to minimize stress and prevent injury from biting and clawing.
2. BEFORE putting the turtle in the container, drill or burn (using a soldering iron) many holes in the upper walls and lid for ventilation. Be sure the holes are smooth on the inside.
3. Line the container with moist paper toweling or shredded newspaper. You want to put in enough bedding to keep the turtle from moving too much.
4. After putting the turtle in the container, securely tie or tape the container shut. Be sure not to cover the ventilation holes!
5. Put the turtle container in a Styrofoam cooler or cardboard box that is lined on the bottom, sides and top with crumbled or shredded newspaper. The outer box or cooler should have some ventilation holes.
6. Keep the box out of the sun! Although turtles naturally bask in the sun, they know when to retreat to the cool water or shade to prevent overheating When YOU put them in a container, they depend on YOU to keep them at the right temperature. When traveling by car, you can drape a newspaper or towel over the turtle's box to shade it and prevent overheating. Never leave your turtle in a container in the sun or in a car parked in the sun, even if the container is shaded with a cloth or paper. The container can quickly overheat (that includes Styrofoam coolers) and kill your turtle!"

Good luck! I am sorry you have to evacuate. I hope you and everyone you know out there stays safe.

[areias]

That's great info. Thanks so much...I'll have to do that. We should be -ok- though.

Yeah I'm slightly worried today too...I hit a coyote last night dead-on. It didn't seem to do much damage other than crush the vanity plate and traumatize me. But I wake up this morning to go to the store-it's shuddering when I brake :( So I now have a broke down car in the midst of a hurricane. -sigh- and no money to take it to the shop. We'll see what happens.