Lost cherryhead baby

[W Shaw]

Just a note of hope. I've put the details elsewhere, so just briefly here -- 2 years ago, I came across a sulcata in the woods in november in a cold climate -- turned out he'd gone missing 3 months earlier and had survived on his own all that time.

 

[Momof4]

I know!!!!! And I keep going back there and looking down, on all 4's... My neighbors probably think I'm crazy. Something in my gut tells me to look there! But, maybe that's just denial?...

If I was you I would buy a few cans of sardines packed in water and spread them around. My RF's love them and as you know they are smelly! Good luck sweetie!!

 

[W Shaw]

Anyone got a game camera you could borrow, to see if he's coming out at night?

 

[Prairie Mom]

I think everything you are doing is amazing! It shows how much love and devotion you have within you! I'm sending big hugs your way and wishing for a safe return.

 

[kathyth]

I agree!! I would keep looking there and anywhere, close.
If anyone can find a tortoise, it's you!!!!

 

[JourneyN15]

Just for encouragement, my adult female dug out of her yard in November 2014. She spent the entire winter missing. Her then owners were worried sick about her since Florida had had a colder than usual winter. One day in March 2015, after being gone for four months, the owner was washing her car on the driveway and sensed someone else there. She turned around and the tortoise was watching her. The cold, although not ideal, didn't seem to have harmed her. She laid eggs this season that have hatched healthy hatchlings.
So my encouragement is, if your little one was use to being in that area, it's possible that it won't go very far. And if it does take a trip, it's very possible that it will come back to what's familiar to him. My second encouragement is although Redfoots are warmer climate torts, they may be sturdier and more resourceful that we have realized when it comes to emergency-type situation.

I hope you have really great news for us very soon! These are the makings of a good story to tell once your baby is home.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

You may have to eventually just yank apart that whole, beautiful planter stem by stem. Place a flag where you began and start going in clockwise formation.
I'll bet that this story will still end well!!

 

[Pearly]

Just a note of hope. I've put the details elsewhere, so just briefly here -- 2 years ago, I came across a sulcata in the woods in november in a cold climate -- turned out he'd gone missing 3 months earlier and had survived on his own all that time.

Thank you, but mine is a baby! He's only 3 inches! I so worry about the low temps. Food would not be a problem, there is abundance of plants and snails he can eat, and hopefully figure out how to get his water. But the cold....

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Years ago in Calif one of my box turtles escaped. He was missing thru the winter for 5 or 6 months. Then one sunny day in the empty lot next door the gardener found him basking against the sunny fence.
Most of all, don't give up.
Personally, I wouldn't cut anything down, you are messing up the 'crime' scene by doing that. Get on hands and knees and feel every spot on the ground. Look from the torts view. Go slow and stay calm. I'm praying for you...hang in....

 

[Pearly]

If I was you I would buy a few cans of sardines packed in water and spread them around. My RF's love them and as you know they are smelly! Good luck sweetie!!

Thank you!!!! Going to my HEB in a bit to buy bunch of sardine cans!

 

[Pearly]

Anyone got a game camera you could borrow, to see if he's coming out at night?

I wish! I don't know any hunters or wildlife photographers. I wish....

 

[Pearly]

No. If I was a Tortoise I'd be in there. It's heaven.

Haha! It'll look much more "heavenly" in few more weeks when it all fills in and starts blooming

 

[Pearly]

No, I think he's in there too. I have several viola plants in my baby YF indoor habitat and the baby digs down next to the plant and almost disappears in the roots. I'm willing to bet that pretty little RF tortoise is in there dug down under a plant.

Thanks, Yvonne, I started turning the soil in this bed yesterday. I NEVER turn the soil so it's pretty hard in most places. I was down on all 4's yesterday with my hand tools just moving the soil around each and every plant. Did 1/2 of that bed before my back was screaming and had to stop. No sign of little Tucker. The food that I had out out in all the hides looks untouched... Last nite it dropped to 32F! I went out to look under the lamp... Nothing... yet

 

[Pearly]

I think everything you are doing is amazing! It shows how much love and devotion you have within you! I'm sending big hugs your way and wishing for a safe return.

Thank you so much for encouraging words. I really need those big hugs right now

 

[Pearly]

I agree!! I would keep looking there and anywhere, close.
If anyone can find a tortoise, it's you!!!!

Am I this obvious???!!!! I've been known for my persistence and tenacity in following my convictions. I just MUST keep hoping that I find him before it's too late

 

[Pearly]

Just for encouragement, my adult female dug out of her yard in November 2014. She spent the entire winter missing. Her then owners were worried sick about her since Florida had had a colder than usual winter. One day in March 2015, after being gone for four months, the owner was washing her car on the driveway and sensed someone else there. She turned around and the tortoise was watching her. The cold, although not ideal, didn't seem to have harmed her. She laid eggs this season that have hatched healthy hatchlings.
So my encouragement is, if your little one was use to being in that area, it's possible that it won't go very far. And if it does take a trip, it's very possible that it will come back to what's familiar to him. My second encouragement is although Redfoots are warmer climate torts, they may be sturdier and more resourceful that we have realized when it comes to emergency-type situation.

I hope you have really great news for us very soon! These are the makings of a good story to tell once your baby is home.

Awww! What a great story! Thank you so much for sharing with me

 

[Pearly]

You may have to eventually just yank apart that whole, beautiful planter stem by stem. Place a flag where you began and start going in clockwise formation.
I'll bet that this story will still end well!!

That's the exact thought that has been ripening inside my head last couple days

 

[Pearly]

Years ago in Calif one of my box turtles escaped. He was missing thru the winter for 5 or 6 months. Then one sunny day in the empty lot next door the gardener found him basking against the sunny fence.
Most of all, don't give up.
Personally, I wouldn't cut anything down, you are messing up the 'crime' scene by doing that. Get on hands and knees and feel every spot on the ground. Look from the torts view. Go slow and stay calm. I'm praying for you...hang in....

Thank Maggie! I love how you said it "crime scene"

 

[MPRC]

More positive thoughts for you. Maybe post on CL and see if anyone wants to come stake out the garden with their game cameras. Offer a 6 pack and a good story.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

You may have to eventually just yank apart that whole, beautiful planter stem by stem. Place a flag where you began and start going in clockwise formation.
I'll bet that this story will still end well!!

Why am I blocked from you?