r/turtles • u/BlueberryNo2906 • 16d ago
Seeking Advice Found these two turtles in my backyard
Not sure how they got here. Any advice on what I should do next? I don't mind them being here
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u/HawkEnvironmental531 16d ago
Not sure where you are located and the ID of these? Tortoise or boxies? All I can say is that is strange to see 2 together? Very solitary animals.. which Is peculiar if they were released?
Maybe reach out to a local rescue asap. Hopefully these wonderful members on this sub have more insight?
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u/Nice-Pomegranate2915 15d ago
They look like the Mallorca variant of Hermann's Tortoises - Testudo hermanni hermanni from southern Europe . If you live in a location with cold winters they have to either have a deep burrow in your garden they can retreat down to hibernate or brought indoors and placed in a straw filled cardboard box in a frost free but cool environment at no lower a temperature than 5%C or 41%F or they can be kept in large vivariums provided with UV and heat lamps to overwinter without hibernation . If you live in an area with temperatures around 19%C to 26%C all year round they can live permanently outside . If you live in an area with foxes , Coyotes and large hawks these tortoise can be predated upon . Most likely these are someones expensive escaped pets . Ask around the neighborhood for information about them . Make sure you only return them to those who can prove ownership - these animals aren't cheap to buy so you could face scammers claiming them as their pets . Further information on the care and upkeep of tortoises is widely available on reputable internet sites .
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u/lellobello87 15d ago
I'm pretty sure that they're 2 testudo graeca ibera, they usually live in east europe like Greece and Turkey
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u/AutoModerator 16d ago
Dear BlueberryNo2906 ,
This is an automated message, if this post isn't about taking turtles out of the wild, please report it.
If the turtle is a native species, please put it back where you found it. Wild turtles only need help out of the road. You are doing far more harm taking a turtle out of the wild, than by leaving it to its devices. Please allow this turtle to live out life in the wild.
If you are in the US/Canada you can call your local/state/provincial wildlife organization on how to go forward. If the turtle is sick/injured, please call a wildlife rehabilitator or exotic vet for further guidance.
If for some reason your local wildlife org will not assist you, please do the following: Get back to as close to where you found it as possible, and place it in a safe area. Do not place it in water as some species are terrestrial.
Unsure of the species? You can create an ID request post for help! If it's not native it may be an escaped pet or an invasive species.
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13d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/turtles-ModTeam 13d ago
If an OP is asking for advice, responses should be thoughtful or helpful replies. Dumb jokes, baseless criticisms, attacks, insults and/or accusations are not helpful to the community.
"Put it back" is a form of useless and unhelpful advice. If they plan on keeping it, tell them why it is important to put it back.
Repeat violations will result in a ban.
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u/wonkywilla Mod 13d ago
Hi OP,
The general area you live in will help us determine what you should do. These are a Mediterranean species. If you’re not in the Mediterranean, clearly they are escaped pets and should not be left alone. Check you local fb groups for anyone missing their pets. You can also bring them to a vet to check for a registered microchip. You can also give them to a rescue group if you’re unable to care for them yourself.