Look what I just found on my backyard!!!

[M&M's Mommy]

Call a wildlife place or spca, or release it in a wild wooded area.
There is a very old superstition that once a turtle bites it won't let go until it hears thunder.

That's exactly where my fear comes from. I heard that the only way to get a turtle to release something it's bitten onto is to kill it, which I don't think I could do.. But, if it bites my dogs, then I would have to.. Such scary thoughts make me don't want to take any parts in keeping it. My fear prevents me from enjoying the cute little guest that visits our yard!

I'll call the animal control to see what they say.

[IRescue452]

Why on earth do you think you have to kill it if it bites your dogs? You just pull it off. It isn't going to do any damage.

[Karen]

I guess I fear it because I've heard that if a turtle bite onto something, it will never release it unless it's killed.

That's completely and totally untrue. Put that out of your mind right now.

[M&M's Mommy]

Why on earth do you think you have to kill it if it bites your dogs? You just pull it off. It isn't going to do any damage.

No, i do not want to kill the turtle or plan to do so . I was just saying that my fear was I would have to do that because I've heard that it's the only way to release my dog from the turtle.

Many have already said that it was only a myth, and I should not be so scared of the little creature. I'm still scared, but only a little bit, not so much as before anymore.

[Uabassoon]

Have you tried calling the wildlife center about him yet?

[borzoimom]

What do I do now?? My husband gave it some lectuce sprinkled with water, and wanted to keep it in the backyard. I wanted to keep it out fearing that it may do some harm to the dogs, or the vice versa!.

I am just not sure of how to keep it out. I don't want to kill it, yet are not sure of where to bring it to.

Any suggestions?

Well as far as feeding spinach is better for the turtle and carrots. As far as taking him, in our state the box turtle is now endangered from some disease that kills them.
They do well with any veggies- spinach, carrots, lettuce etc. Water source like you did with water sprayed veggies is good but also little puddles like can lids etc with water. Also- once a week, spray the shell with water like a squart bottle.

[lizbud]

I once found a turtle/tortise, whatever here in the city. The kids down
the street found it & were keeping it in a cooler on their porch. I got them
to give it to me & then called around to find someone to rescue it. I think
I posted about it on Pet General & several people steered me to a local
Turtle rescue/rehabber right here in the city. She came out & took him
home. She sent me newsletters on her groups efforts for a long time after
that.

[buttercup132]

I guess I fear it because I've heard that if a turtle bite onto something, it will never release it unless it's killed. I'm not sure if it's true or not, but do not want to take any chances. My dogs found the turtle, and sniffed at it a bit too closely, it scared me. I am afraid that the turtle would feel threathened and bite them, or that the dogs would flip the turtle over and got biten!

My co-worker said that turtles could carry Salmonella, and make the dogs sick. That scares me even more..

Basically I don't want to keep it, but am not sure about how to get rid of it.

Thats the thing though its not a turtle its VERY different.

Well as far as feeding spinach is better for the turtle and carrots

Since its NOT a TURTLE carrots arent good for them unless they are grated with a cheese grater and still then they arent the best. Spinach is also too high in something (I forget what) for them to eat.

[borzoimom]

That's completely and totally untrue. Put that out of your mind right now.

Exactly!

[BitsyNaceyDog]

My co-worker said that turtles could carry Salmonella, and make the dogs sick. That scares me even more..

Basically I don't want to keep it, but am not sure about how to get rid of it.

Water turtles often do carry salmonella, but very rarely do land turtles/tortoises. You really don't have to worry about that.

As far as getting rid of him- it's usually best to put him back as close to where you found him as you can. Is your yard fenced? Maybe you could put him just outside your fence. If not I'd try to find a good wooded area to release him.

[K9soul]

Box turtles are technically neither turtles nor tortoises. They are considered terrapins. In any case I don't think M&M's Mommy is planning to "keep" her so the dietary questions should not be a big concern . Ornates are one of the more difficult species to keep anyway, and are not like the eastern or three toed boxers in that they eat primarily an insect diet rather than vegetation.

[Argranade]

I am just not sure of how to keep it out. I don't want to kill it, yet are not sure of where to bring it to.

Any suggestions?

Uhhh ... why would you want to kill it?

[kimlovescats]

What a gorgous fella! I would just find a safe place to move him to! Good luck!

[M&M's Mommy]

Uhhh ... why would you want to kill it?

Uhh... I never said I did want to kill it

[M&M's Mommy]

Water turtles often do carry salmonella, but very rarely do land turtles/tortoises. You really don't have to worry about that.

As far as getting rid of him- it's usually best to put him back as close to where you found him as you can. Is your yard fenced? Maybe you could put him just outside your fence. If not I'd try to find a good wooded area to release him.

My yard is fenced, and the neighbors' yard on both side are also fenced. The closest forest (wooded area?) is a couple hours away. There are no streams or water areas that I know of. I can put him back into the yard, but unless he digs an underground tunnel, I don't see how he can get out. Oh wait, how he got in no one knows for sure, but he did get in, he can get out, right?

*Sigh*. I'll put him back in the spot where I found him tonite. And if by Sunday he's still there, I'll call animal control and have them take care of him for me.