Tortoise in Yard

mal652

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Jul 24, 2019
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Location (City and/or State)
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While walking up my driveway I ended up finding a tortoise in my yard and I was wondering if someone could identify what species it is so I know if its likely to be a local tortoise or someones lost pet. I live in Southern California, Thank You.
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Tom

The Dog Trainer
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Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,264
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
That's not a tortoise. Its a turtle.

Looks like its probably a red eared slider, but I can't be sure from your pics. They need to be in water, but they also need an area to climb out of the water and bask.
 

mal652

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Jul 24, 2019
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Location (City and/or State)
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Okay thank you, is there a certain way I should try and take a picture of him so you can have a more clear look. I put him in a shallow dish of water after I found him, but he did not seem to be a huge fan of it.
 

mal652

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Location (City and/or State)
California
He also is very shy, anytime I get remotely close to him he goes about three-quarters of the way in his shell. But from what I have seen, there is no red on his neck area if that helps at all.
 

mal652

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Location (City and/or State)
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Never-mind, I just put some water on him and he perked right up. It is dark out now so it is a little hard to see, but I believe he does have a red stripe on his neck.
 

Toddrickfl1

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That is a slider " Trachemys Scripta". It's a water turtle. Probably left a nearby waterway to lay eggs. They aren't native to your area and shouldn't be released. @Yvonne G any advice for the OP on what to do with it?
 

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