- Joined
- Oct 15, 2013
- Messages
- 3
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.
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.