Help missing tortoise

[Toytoyce]

In desperate need of help. I'm in UK, weather is damp.
2days ago I brought my grandchildrens tortoise to my home to mind while they are on holiday. I put him in a "pen" on my grass. He seemed ok so left him in the sun (on that day). I went out with some salad about an hour and half later and he'd escaped. I've searched my garden and looked next door but no signs. My garden is a bit over grown at the moment with plants but I've pulled them apart to look between them. I have fences all around the garden except for a gate at the bottom which has at least a 6 inch gab. How far is it likely to wander and is he likely to be ok with the damp weather? I have checked the garden continuously since he went missing. I even went out at midnight with a torch. I know nothing about tortoises at all. I do know he's 5 yrs old but that's it, that's all I know. What can I do. I've even found a mating call on Google and been round the garden playing it to no avail. God knows what the neighbours think I'm up too !!!

 

[Yvonne G]

Just in case he's still in there, put something under the gate so he can't get out. They are masters at hiding.

You might see him in the morning sitting in the sun next to a fence.

 

[Toytoyce]

Yes I've put bricks across but there is still a slight gap. Tomorrow will be his third day. Is it likely to still be in my garden or far away??

 

[wellington]

It's hard to say if he went far or not. Let neighbors know about him missing. Keep looking specially when the sun is up and warm. He will want to warm up. Do you have a picture of him or know what kind he is? If it were a Russian, they can live through colder temps and is probably fine. I believe a Hermanns too would be fine.
Look in the mornings when Sunnis out and best to crawl on hands and knees and feel around. It's amazing how they can blend right in.

 

[Toytoyce]

It's just past 8am here. I've been out searching again. It's rained over night, would that make things worse?
Wellington, I have no idea about him, in fact I didn't know till 2 days ago that there are different types of tortoise. I "think" he looked like the small one in your photo, but who knows.
I feel useless and im churned up as the family are back on Tuesday morning. To make things 10000 times worse I was minding their dog and cat too. The poor dog died on me ( not my fault lol). I'm keeping a strict eye on the cat!!

 

[Anyfoot]

In desperate need of help. I'm in UK, weather is damp.
2days ago I brought my grandchildrens tortoise to my home to mind while they are on holiday. I put him in a "pen" on my grass. He seemed ok so left him in the sun (on that day). I went out with some salad about an hour and half later and he'd escaped. I've searched my garden and looked next door but no signs. My garden is a bit over grown at the moment with plants but I've pulled them apart to look between them. I have fences all around the garden except for a gate at the bottom which has at least a 6 inch gab. How far is it likely to wander and is he likely to be ok with the damp weather? I have checked the garden continuously since he went missing. I even went out at midnight with a torch. I know nothing about tortoises at all. I do know he's 5 yrs old but that's it, that's all I know. What can I do. I've even found a mating call on Google and been round the garden playing it to no avail. God knows what the neighbours think I'm up too !!!

It's going to be hot today, bet he comes out to sun bathe. If he did get under the gate, what's on the other side, straight onto a path or your front garden? Check deep under the grass and plants, they will dig in for cover.

 

[Gillian M]

Your tort will show up when it's sunny. Patience needed here. Sorry to have heard you lost him, also sorry to have heard about your dog's death. Please accept my sincere condolences.

Keep up hope as far as the tort is concerned. And let us know when he pops up.

And a very warm welcome to the forum!

 

[Toytoyce]

It's going to be hot today, bet he comes out to sun bathe. If he did get under the gate, what's on the other side, straight onto a path or your front garden? Check deep under the grass and plants, they will dig in for cover.

Where I live the houses are in a square. As I come out of my back gate there are houses to the left (their front gardens) with a pavement straight ahead. The car park is the main square that the houses either back onto as mine does or face as those behind me do. There are pathways to the left heading to another part of the estate and pavement to the right heading toward the road in then greenery! No signs today either

 

[Gillian M]

Where I live the houses are in a square. As I come out of my back gate there are houses to the left (their front gardens) with a pavement straight ahead. The car park is the main square that the houses either back onto as mine does or face as those behind me do. There are pathways to the left heading to another part of the estate and pavement to the right heading toward the road in then greenery! No signs today either

Sorry to know that.

Keep up hope.

 

[Toytoyce]

Your tort will show up when it's sunny. Patience needed here. Sorry to have heard you lost him, also sorry to have heard about your dog's death. Please accept my sincere condolences.

Keep up hope as far as the tort is concerned. And let us know when he pops up.

And a very warm welcome to the forum!

Thanks for your lovely reply. I've been devastated this week, my life story lol. Nothing goes smoothly. As one friend told me " at least your life's not dull" Oh dear, not helping me find a missing tort is it lol

 

[Gillian M]

Thanks for your lovely reply. I've been devastated this week, my life story lol. Nothing goes smoothly. As one friend told me " at least your life's not dull" Oh dear, not helping me find a missing tort is it lol

Please don't mention it.

I know what you mean, when nothing goes smoothly.....GOD!!

If you need to "talk" I am ALL LISTENING EARS. And I mean it! Just send me a PM, alright?

 

[Kristoff]

So sorry to hear about all your troubles! I don't know about the effect of the mating call (read about it in a news article once), but torts ARE attracted to bright colors, especially red, purple and yellow. Any chance you could leave some hibiscus, cherry tomatoes or strawberries out in the open to beckon him?

Their poo (usually black and smaller than a cat's) could possibly give you a clue as to his location.

Hope he'll be back soon!

 

[Gillian M]

So sorry to hear about all your troubles! I don't know about the effect of the mating call (read about it in a news article once), but torts ARE attracted to bright colors, especially red, purple and yellow. Any chance you could leave some hibiscus, cherry tomatoes or strawberries out in the open to beckon him?

Their poo (usually black and smaller than a cat's) could possibly give you a clue as to his location.

Hope he'll be back soon!

Let's hope for the best.

 

[Toytoyce]

So sorry to hear about all your troubles! I don't know about the effect of the mating call (read about it in a news article once), but torts ARE attracted to bright colors, especially red, purple and yellow. Any chance you could leave some hibiscus, cherry tomatoes or strawberries out in the open to beckon him?

Their poo (usually black and smaller than a cat's) could possibly give you a clue as to his location.

Hope he'll be back soon!

Thank you. Yes I've left cherry tomatoes out but no signs as yet. Think the Tom's Will have set root before tort comes back !!

 

[Gillian M]

Thank you. Yes I've left cherry tomatoes out but no signs as yet. Think the Tom's Will have set root before tort comes back !!

Well done. That could attract his attention, and hopefully he'll pop up soon.

 

[Toytoyce]

I watsapped my daughter today and had to fess up about the missing tort my heart can't cope with anymore trauma lol. She laughed and told me not to worry as, like you have all said here, that it buries itself then turns up again. It's name is Oliver but should be Olive ha ha. She had it sexed and found out it was female but the name Oliver had stuck by then. So we now know it's a female tort named Oliver that likes to bury itself!!! Not making me feel any better though. Keep thinking, what if he escaped under the gate

 

[Toytoyce]

Well done. That could attract his attention, and hopefully he'll pop up soon.

Thank you x

 

[Gillian M]

Thank you x

Please do not mention it. We are here to help.

 

[Kristoff]

I watsapped my daughter today and had to fess up about the missing tort my heart can't cope with anymore trauma lol. She laughed and told me not to worry as, like you have all said here, that it buries itself then turns up again. It's name is Oliver but should be Olive ha ha. She had it sexed and found out it was female but the name Oliver had stuck by then. So we now know it's a female tort named Oliver that likes to bury itself!!! Not making me feel any better though. Keep thinking, what if he escaped under the gate

If it's a tort who likes to bury herself, as some species do, she most probably spent the effort digging in rather than finding that only way out. There are many stories here on the forum about torts missing for days only to emerge from their underground hides as if nothing happened. Do keep us posted about your search progress!

 

[Gillian M]

Hi @Toytoyce . Sent you a PM, about an hour or so ago.

Hope you are feeling better.