Habitat - Outdoor :: Help! I'm worried about my turtle Maurice that's now outside

[schilperoort5]

Hi,
We got a small RES a few years ago, and have kept him in an indoor aquarium. He's gotten much bigger and we upgraded aquariums as he grew. He seems so cramped up now and we have a nice HUGE Koi/fish pond in the backyard. We put rocks in so he could come out to sun. We placed him on the rocks about 48hrs ago. He sat there a few minutes then leaped in....we haven't seen him since. I'm very worried. Did we make a big mistake? Is he alright? I hope he's just in heaven and is wondering around his new habitat....HELP!!! I need some advice!

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Is the area fenced in so he didnt wonder off? Cause he can try and leave or already did if you dont fence him in.

He could be still in the pond wondering around it. Turtles usually bask only morning till mid day and rest of the time there in water. So not seeing him after mid day would be normal. Also its getting cooler at night and in the morning so basking time really shortens up.

[schilperoort5]

Thank you! The sides of the pond are built up by a good 2-3 ft with cement sitting edge. There is a shelf inside all the way around and we put some rocks stacked so it can climb up to bask, but no way can he get out! I think I spotted him this morning. He was sitting on the underwater shelf and took off. The pond has a lot of algae right now that we are trying to get rid of so we will hopefully be able to see him better soon. I thought maybe he drowned! THanks again for the help!

[wiccabrat]

He's enjoying being able to hide. Mine all disappear for a few days when they first go in the outside ponds, they need time to adjust and explore.

[schilperoort5]

Thank you! Thank you!

[rsour24]

show us some pictures of your pond, im very curious what it looks like

[schilperoort5]

How do I attach my pics in here???

[schilperoort5]

[schilperoort5]

Uh, I think I figured it out, but it's a bit big!!! Anyway, this is our Koi pond right as it was finished being built. I will post a more recent pic in next few days. So, the water comes up just to the bottom of inside stone. From top of water to bottom is about 6-8 ft deep! There is a cement seat that is about 1/2 way from bottom of water for plants, which we don't have any right now. That seat is where we stacked up some rocks so Maurice can sun himself! I hope he's liking it.....

[worldpeace]

Wow such a modern-looking pond

[rsour24]

id love to see more pictures on the inside and stuff if u have time please show us some

[wiccabrat]

Awesome pond, but without any plants or coverage he's more likely to dive when he sees or hears you coming. Try adding a few plants for him to "hide" in and you just might see him more.

[rsour24]

i like the plant idea, i have some plants that can float on the surface, im waiting for them to get large enough that i can have them cover 2/3 of the tank, but its hard when he eats it haha

[schilperoort5]

What are some good types of plants to put in here. Someone told me that the Koi and RES will eat them and it will make a mess....

[gwennie]

Water lilies are good, duck weed is good too ^^ Grows fast in natural sunlight and would provide cover for your koi and RES.