Wanted: Turtle Homes

Baltimore MD

Description

We have one more month to add turtles to ponds so they can hibernate this winter. The Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society, a 501(c)(3) organization, has red-eared slider turtles and other turtles that need new homes. These turtles are pets that CANNOT be released to the wild, because they are not native to the mid-Atlantic. However, they will do just fine in outdoor ponds if released during the summer, but the pond or backyard MUST be fenced in to prevent the turtle from escaping, and the pond surface cannot freeze solid in the winter. Koi type ponds of at least 300 gallons usually fit the bill. The turtle would need to be fed every other day until the fall, when the turtle prepares for hibernation. Feeding resumes again April or so, following the same temperature guide lines as for koi. We cannot put sliders into local water ways; they can only go to homes with fenced outdoor ponds or indoors in aquariums or plastic stock tanks/homemade indoor ponds. If you don't have a backyard pond, but would still like to adopt a turtle, that's good, too. Most sliders need at least a 55 gallon aquarium or plastic stock tank, but larger is better. Sliders can live for 20-60 yrs, and can grow to be 5-8" for males, and 8-12" for females. They need large indoor aquariums or ponds, a basking spot, and water filtration. Indoor ponds and aquariums require a haul-out spot, a.k.a. basking spot, a heat light over a basking spot, a UVB light over the basking spot, a high-powered filter, and usually a water heater. Outdoor ponds must be in an escape-proof yard or the pond itself must be escape-proof. If you have a backyard pond, the turtle needs to be added to the pond by the 1st week of September, but can live year-round outside after that. Babies shouldn't go outside until they're about 3", so they don't become bird food. If using an aquarium, a good rule of thumb is at least 10 gallons per inch of turtle (straight carapace length). So, a 6" turtle will need at least a 55 gallon aquarium. For ideas on how to prepare an aquarium or pond, visit www.turtleforum.com to chat with other keepers. Review the slider care sheet to learn more about caring for a slider. https://www.matts-turtles.org/care---housing.html Here's a great book on aquatics, and it can be DOWNLOADED FOR FREE at https://www.lulu.com/shop/richard-lunsford/captive-care-of-north-american-water-turtles/ebook/product-17551523.html Please review our adoptable turtles at http://www.matts.petfinder.com if interested in adopting a slider. REQUEST AN ADOPTION APPLICATION from the e-mail above or matts_adoptions @ hotmail.com (remove the space before and after @). Please include your city and state when contacting MATTS. An application will be e-mailed to you. Once completed, the application can be returned, and if approved, you'll then have to submit pictures of your set-up before picking up a turtle. We meet adopters in central locations such as downtown Baltimore (21231), Parkton (21120), or York, PA, as we foster from our homes and do not have a central shelter. There is no adoption fee for sliders, but our turtles do come with a no sale, no trade, no breeding adoption contract.