Tortoise

Discussion in 'Wildlife Corner' started by Victoria, Jan 10, 2026 at 1:40 PM.

  1. Victoria

    Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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    T'other Half just found this chappie on our front Patio ...

    Torty1 10 Jan 26.jpg
    Torty2 10 Jan 26.jpg

    Torty3a 10 Jan 26.jpg

    We have no experience with these critters so have put him in the Sand Garden.

    We don't know how he got in here as we have stone walls or concrete walls, unless he got under the double front gates.

    What should we do?
     
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      Is it a tortoise or a turtle/terrapin type thing.
      I think they get a bit drowsy in lower temperatures, I wonder if your cold spell has confused him.
       
    • Loofah

      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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      It's a terrapin.
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I think they bite, dont they.
         
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        • Victoria

          Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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          On Portuguese Wildlife I was told it is a ,Mauremys leprosa.

          I know one person and one restaurant that has a pond. It has disappeared from the sand garden!
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            The Iberian pond turtle, so its native, probably best left to its own devices then?
             
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            • Philippa

              Philippa Gardener

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              It is a Terrapin rather than a Tortoise. Wouldn't normally hibernate but temps will affect it as it does other reptiles.
              Some terrapins will adapt to different conditions. Remember the craze when people in the UK bought the Red Eared terrapins during the Ninja Turtle fad - many were just dumped in streams and ponds when their owners realised they had to actually look after them !! They managed to increase and breed to an extent that they were often considered a pest. Rather like the Ring neck parakeets.
              If your little visitor has disappeared, either it's found a way out ( as it found a way in ) or has hidden itself.
              I hope you manage to track it down and find the owner. Be very interested in any updates.
               
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              • Escarpment

                Escarpment Total Gardener

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                What people didn't appreciate when they bought their cute little 50p sized terrapins was that they could grow to the size of a dinner plate.
                 
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                • NigelJ

                  NigelJ Total Gardener

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                  When I was a lad somebody bought a young friend a terrapin, it started in a tank indoors, was later moved to the fishpond and having eaten everything there it was released into a large flooded pit at the back of the gas works. Never seen again as far as I know, whole site has been redeveloped long since.
                   
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                  • Victoria

                    Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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                    The one person I thought could take it on a farm with geese, donkeys, bees, etc said she doesn't think it would be safe with her cats and dogs. :frown: Have not seen it this morning.
                     
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                    • pete

                      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                      I saw one on the grass in the park one summer, there was always a local myth that there were some in the lake, but I never saw any until then, or since.
                       
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                      • Philippa

                        Philippa Gardener

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                        Must admit I've not noticed any reports on the Red eared for a long time.
                         
                      • pete

                        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                        They have ears?:biggrin:
                         
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                        • zenj

                          zenj Super Gardener

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                          These live in a quarry pond in Whitley Bay been there for years and get through our NE winters. IMG_1904.jpeg IMG_1903.jpeg
                           
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                          • pete

                            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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