They've escaped again!

[turtlegirl]

WARNING turtles are 1st class excape artistes. Mine could beat Houdini any day!
I normally let all my turtles out in te garden in summer in a secure pool and exercise area but in winter they re confined to an indoor tank. After reading about people letting their turtles go for a walk indoors I decided to give it a go with mine. As a precaution I put them all (7adults, 3 juveniles)in the bathroom upstairs which has a relatively safe obstacle free floor . I thought it would be easy to round them all up afterwards.
While I was cleaning one of my turtle tanks downstairs I heard several hammering noises. At first I assumed neighbours were doing a bit of DIY. The noises got louder and a couple of loud bumps sounded like they were only a few feet away. Went to investigate and found 2 adults and 1 youngster in the hall plus another 2 turtles on the stairs. The bathroom door was wide open and the rest had vanished! ???In a few minutes my turtles had somehow managed to force open the bathroom door and climb down 11 steep steps.I >:(t took me 3 hours to round them all up as they were all over the place - kitchen, bedroom, hall.
That;s the last time I'm letting them roam - unless I put a padlock on the bathroom door.

[wayne020668]

yeah they will do that we have rescued and seen these animals climbing fences when we finally got them... but they will wonder... but please don't forget the exercise is really good for them as in the water they have no weigh, on land they have to work hence using their muscle's.. keeping them fit & well....

regards wayne...

[myrtle999]

Sounds like they had great fun though! Myrtle always heads straight for the stairs and if she stumbles across any shoes will get hold of them and start throwing them about. Not sure what that's all about? Since letting Myrtle out for walks she is definately much stronger and her legs more powerful, so I guess it is really do her some good.

[turtlegirl]

Yes they do like exploring. My baby maps gave me a fright last summer when they escaped in the garden and disappeared. My neighbour found them in his shed 2 weeks later!
Had another go at letting them walk in the bathroom but this time I barracaded the door with a chair and heavy toolbox. You won't believe the noise 7 adult turtles can make as they fling themselves against the door to try and open it. They must realise the door is the only way ut as thye don't beat aginst the walls. Clever!

Sounds like lucky Myrtle is a spoilt and much loved pet. :)What species is she, any photos? Mine are a mixture of different species -assorted maps, yellowbellies and goodness knows what else. I'd love to get them identified.

[myrtle999]

Myrtle is a map turtle and a bit of a platform potatoe to be honest. I will try to upload some pics or video of her on her travels. I have a disabled house bunny who lives in the lounge where Myrtles's tank is, and when she started going out, she always made a bee-line for Roger's duvet which he took great exception too. I have got a fab vid of Roger rushing up to Myrtle to send her on her way, and Myrtle standing her ground and hissing at him expecting to scare him away, but Roger is deaf and wouldnt hear that anyway, and Roger then ran into Myrtle and knocked her over, and poor old Myrtle then quickly retreated out the door, and doesn't go near Roger or his duvet anymore, lol

[soobooblue]

Turtlegirl, that is soooo funny! They are great escape artists

Just before Christmas I was giving the tank a full clean and let my two, Kevin and Perry have a lovely run around the kitchen. When it was time to put them back I could find Kevin (map) but not Perry (RES)

I was absolutely panic struck! I pulled out the washing machine .. no Perry! I pulled out the built in fridge and freezer with panicked thoughts of him being behind it and freezing no Perry!

Eventually found him in another room chilling underneath a pouffe oblivious of my despair! The sheer joy of finding him, then telling him off like a naughty child He got the biggest hug of his life Kids aye!