Tortoise showed up! Now what?

[squirt_the_duck]

Aloha fellow wildlife lovers! I live on a 5-acre property in Hawaii that is a certified wildlife habitat. Three days ago, a juvenile tortoise showed up in a park-like area of the property under a starfruit tree. He or she has been hanging out there ever since, ranging only about 20 feet but mostly staying under the tree in the long grass. I've been taking it water and lettuce, and sometimes a grape. Occassionally it sticks its head out briefly to see what's going on, then withdraws into its shell. It seems to have been eating some of the lettuce. It has all the star fruit it wants to eat, as the fruit has been dropping prolifically of late.

What should I do? Leave it be in the wild, and continue taking it water and lettuce? Or put it in an enclosure to protect it from predators? In Hawaii, we have io (hawks), owls, and the usual stray dogs and cats, which might present a danger in the wild.

Or should I advertise for a more knowledgeable tortoise-lover on the island to adopt it?

I wouldn't mind caring for it under if I knew how, but I have no experience in tortoise-raising (other than the usual traditional childhood pet turtles that ended up getting flushed down the toilet after 2 weeks).

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[wellington]

Aloha and E komo mai. Please post a pic of the tortoise so we can advise on the care it will need. I would take it in and keep it or rehome it.

 

[StarSapphire22]

Aloha!

Welcome. We'd love pictures!

 

[TigsMom]

Land Tortoises native to Hawaii?? I did some fast research and didn't find anything other than several pet Sulcata's. The weather there in Hawaii would be wonderful for Sulcatas. I'm really curious to see what sort of Tortoise you've found there. Please post pics. Everyone will be able to give you much better advice once we all know what the species is and what condition it appears to be in. Star Fruit falling from the tree could injur the tortoise so keep a close eye on it.

 

[sissyofone]

Hello If its not a tort thats indigenous to Hawaii please try to keep it safe from predators. Untill you either find the owner or decide to keep it or rather adopt it out. Please post pics so we can decide what kind of tort it is.

 

[wellington]

Also, in the mean time, fruit is not hat good for tortoises. So, yes, please keep giving him water and bring dark leafy greens, not just lettuce though if you can. Also, hibiscus flowers and leaf, cactus pads can be fed too. Check out this site for other edible items you may have growing on the island. http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/tortoise_home_1.asp

 

[EKLC]

Are you anywhere near here:
http://cavereserve.org/blog/?p=288

I read awhile back that they were using tortoises to control invasive weeds

 

[Yvonne G]

Please pick up that tortoise before he gets away and put him in a safe place. Then advertise that you have found a tortoise. Don't put too much info in the ad, as there are a lot of unscrupulous folks out there who say it's their tortoise simply to get something free. Make the callers I.D. the tortoise. You can also put up fliers on the utility poles around the neighborhood where you found the tortoise. Advertise in the paper, on craigslist, etc.

But post a picture here so we can help you know what kind it is.

 

[Jacqui]

Also, in the mean time, fruit is not hat good for tortoises.

That would depend on what kind of tortoise has been found.

 

[Tom]

A non-naitve species should not be left loose running around. Please catch it up and give it to someone before it gets away. Today might be the day it chooses NOT to stay in that area.

 

[squirt_the_duck]

We found it this morning and put it in a pen where our ducks used to be housed. There's not much to see in the photo except his shell. Any suggestions on how to care for him/her?

 

[Yvonne G]

It's a water turtle. Is there a pond or body of fresh water, creek, etc. near your property? It isn't native to Hawaii, and you should try to find a turtle rescue and turn it in. Don't release it.

 

[squirt_the_duck]

Apparently, our certified wildlife habitat is now the de facto tortoise rescue for the Big Island.

 

[wellington]

Also, in the mean time, fruit is not hat good for tortoises.

That would depend on what kind of tortoise has been found.

Except, it sounds like that's all the tort has been eating, except the occasional lettuce.

 

[BuffaloTortoise]

Looks like some type of slider, perhaps a red ear.

 

[diamondbp]

I'm 100% sure it's a red eared slider.

 

[AmRoKo]

That's not a tortoise, it's a red eared or yellow belly slider turtle! He needs lots of water for swimming around! They are omnivores.

 

[reatrocity]

An old article but I'm sure not much has changed:

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Jul/08/ln/507080375.html


I'm not one to take animals out of the wild-- unfortunately red eared sliders are considered an invasive species in many parts of the world. Poor turtles.