Ok, turtle people: I am trying to decide if I should release my now 1-year old Mississippi mud turtle, Jacques or not.
I got him as a wild hatchling. My neighbor teaches biology in a middle school in a nearby town where a river empties into Lake Pontchartrain here in south Louisiana. Every year dozens and dozens of turtles hatch near their school, many wander into the streets etc. The kids at her school have all learned that when they start finding little hatchling turtles on the basketball court, in the street etc (even in the halls of the school!!) they should bring them to Mrs. B. The hatchlings become temporary class pets as each group of students learns about the turtles. They research them to determine what kind each is, and set up the classroom habitats most appropriate to the species. Every year they raise red bellied sliders, red eared sliders, various box turtles and mud turtles. By the time school lets out in late May, the hatchlings have grown significantly in their temporary foster home, and my friend releases them.
With 2 exceptions: last year she kept 1 mud turtle as a permanent pet in an aquarium in her home and gave one to me- I named him Jacques.
I had intended to keep Jacques as a permanent pet. But now I'm reconsidering.
Last week I decided to give him some live prey instead of his usual turtle pellets, and bought 6 guppies. He INSTANTLY became a VERY active hunter!!!! He was all over the tank, creeping in the plants and clearly following the fish. The next morning it became apparent he had gotten one, because there were a few remaining guppy parts caught up in the filter intake. The remaining 5 fish were clustered at the opposite end of the tank, together facing the end where Jacques was hiding. I felt really bad for them, because they were going to get picked off and eaten, one by one: they knew it and were trying to stay alive. (YES, I KNOW: I'M A TOTAL WIMP!!!!). My neighbor also keeps a fish aquarium in her classroom, and brings the fish home during the summer, and she readily agreed to take the guppies. I scooped them up and brought them to her, with great relief.
Now Jacques is back to being cute but quiet and just hanging out until it's time for him to be fed again.
I was amazed at the difference in him when he was presented with live prey. Now I can't help but wonder: even though it would be more dangerous for him, would it be best if I release him back into the wild?
Thoughts?
I got him as a wild hatchling. My neighbor teaches biology in a middle school in a nearby town where a river empties into Lake Pontchartrain here in south Louisiana. Every year dozens and dozens of turtles hatch near their school, many wander into the streets etc. The kids at her school have all learned that when they start finding little hatchling turtles on the basketball court, in the street etc (even in the halls of the school!!) they should bring them to Mrs. B. The hatchlings become temporary class pets as each group of students learns about the turtles. They research them to determine what kind each is, and set up the classroom habitats most appropriate to the species. Every year they raise red bellied sliders, red eared sliders, various box turtles and mud turtles. By the time school lets out in late May, the hatchlings have grown significantly in their temporary foster home, and my friend releases them.
With 2 exceptions: last year she kept 1 mud turtle as a permanent pet in an aquarium in her home and gave one to me- I named him Jacques.
I had intended to keep Jacques as a permanent pet. But now I'm reconsidering.
Last week I decided to give him some live prey instead of his usual turtle pellets, and bought 6 guppies. He INSTANTLY became a VERY active hunter!!!! He was all over the tank, creeping in the plants and clearly following the fish. The next morning it became apparent he had gotten one, because there were a few remaining guppy parts caught up in the filter intake. The remaining 5 fish were clustered at the opposite end of the tank, together facing the end where Jacques was hiding. I felt really bad for them, because they were going to get picked off and eaten, one by one: they knew it and were trying to stay alive. (YES, I KNOW: I'M A TOTAL WIMP!!!!). My neighbor also keeps a fish aquarium in her classroom, and brings the fish home during the summer, and she readily agreed to take the guppies. I scooped them up and brought them to her, with great relief.
Now Jacques is back to being cute but quiet and just hanging out until it's time for him to be fed again.
I was amazed at the difference in him when he was presented with live prey. Now I can't help but wonder: even though it would be more dangerous for him, would it be best if I release him back into the wild?
Thoughts?
