Found a Tortoise

[AfroZero]

I was driving home and swerved to avoid hitting a tortoise that was walking down the street. I picked it to make sure no one else would hit it, and I took it home. I'm pretty sure it is a desert box tortoise. I'm not exactly equipped to have one of these in a home.

I'm wondering whether it would ok to let it back outside, or whether it would even be ok to let it have free reign of my garden. My fear is that this would be a death sentence, since nighttime temperatures are sub-freezing right now, and I don't know if it is wild or domestic.

 

[SweetGreekTorts]

Pictures aren't super clear, but that looks like either a Red Ear Slider or a Yellow Belly Slider. Does it have a red stripe or yellow stripe on each side of it's head? If so, it's a semi-aquatic turtle and spends most of its time in water. Do you have a pond or a large tub with water that you can keep it in?

 

[AfroZero]

It does have a red stripe on its head. I am in El Paso, the desert, so there aren't any bodies of water around. That means it is probably somebody's pet then, doesn't it?

 

[SweetGreekTorts]

It does have a red stripe on its head. I am in El Paso, the desert, so there aren't any bodies of water around. That means it is probably somebody's pet then, doesn't it?

Definitely a Red-Ear Slider. Yes, could likely be someone's pet. They also live in public ponds at large parks and golf courses. Maybe a neighbor has a pond and it got out. It should be kept in water though, with a way for it to get out to dry off and bask. They live mostly in water but cannot breathe under water like fish. They still come up for air.

 

[AfroZero]

And how do you think it would fare outside in this weather?

 

[SweetGreekTorts]

And how do you think it would fare outside in this weather?

I'm not sure how long it would last outside in super cold weather. I would not recommend putting it back outside if temps are really cold at night. If you're able to keep it tonight you can put it in your bathtub with some water, then try to find it's owners tomorrow?

 

[AfroZero]

Thanks! I will do that.