Habitat - Outdoor :: Very large pond

[rocklilybeast]

we are new to turtles around here. The reason we now have turtles is due to our pond. People keep coming over and begging us to take their turtles, due to being tired of cleaning their tanks, etc. We have a pond because my husband is a landscape contractor and bought a Kubota tractor several years ago, and began digging. The kids helped, because it was so fun, and we ended up with a very large pit in the backyard. For a few years, the kids rode bikes in and out and around the pit, but then one year we had a very wet year, the pit filled up about halfway, and the idea of a pond was born. A few years back we added goldfish to keep the mosquito population at bay.

Then this past fall, one of my youngest boy's friends was over, took one look at the pond and asked if he could give us his turtle. He was in charge of cleaning the child's wading pool it lived in and he was sick of having to do it. The turtle's name was (of course) Raphael.

Our turtle pond has just sorta taken off from there. We now have all 4 ninjas (we had to rename the other 3, we hope they don't mind). We live in the central valley of CA, where very occasionally we get a little ice around the very edges of the pond, but otherwise, fairly mild winters. Our pond is about 4-5 ft deep in a couple areas, and much shallower in others. There are 2 gradual inclines to climb out (that the dogs use), but the turtles seem more inclined to use the more cliff-like bank in the middle 'peninsula' for whatever reason. The sun has been coming out off and on for the past month with the occasional daily temperature reaching almost 80.. those days, the turtles are out quite often. Then it gets cold again (down to 50s during the days, into the 30s-40s at night sometimes) and we don't see them for a couple days.

We really have no idea how this will all affect the turtles' health, but they seem to be doing alright so far. We haven't been feeding them - there are about 1000 goldfish in the pond currently, as well as whatever bug and plant life occurs naturally. The other day we were able to feed lettuce, radicchio and a worm to one of them (given to us by the neighbor - Donatello is the most 'user friendly' of the 4), so perhaps we'll start giving them more treats as we head into warmer weather now.

Donatello eating radicchio

We also have 2 large dogs and 2 cats. As yet, one of each has shown an interest. Luckily the turtles are fairly big, so I don't think they're in any real danger.

Tigger vs. Raphael

Zito and Michaelangelo

[steve]

Hi, welcome to site! It must be great having your own pond, how many gallons is it? Do the turtles freely come out want wander the yard?

[rocklilybeast]

Hi, welcome to site! It must be great having your own pond, how many gallons is it? Do the turtles freely come out want wander the yard?

gallons?? no clue - it's maybe 20 yards long in one direction and maybe 10-12 yards in the other, but with a sort of peninsula in the middle, sticking out (which is where I like to sit with a drink and watch the critters)... I measured oh so scientifically by taking large steps, figuring them one yard each. I could be WAY off. There are pictures here: http://web.me.com/rocklily/2011/ that might give you a better idea of the size of the whole thing. Look particularly at 'the kids' page - they used to swim in it, or more specifically jump into it, when they were younger. One summer they had a slip-n-slide set up to fly off the end into the pond. They won't go into it because of the fish now (and for sure the turtles this upcoming summer). My husband still will, though. Or at least before the turtles. We didn't get the first turtle til this past fall, so there wasn't a lot of swimming going on by that time, anyway.

[rocklilybeast]

I forgot to add, they have not as yet begun to 'wander' anywhere. They climb out in the one specific bank area and lay in the sun. At first, they would plop back in at the slightest noise or movement elswhere in the yard, but they are getting braver. I expect to see a LOT of turtle action this summer. It's really fun. When the weather's nice, it's just so relaxing to sit out by the water and WATCH.

[steve]

That pond looks great. I would find a way to keep your dog away from the turtles... dog bites are a common problem with people who keep both. Maybe a basking area in the center? Keeping them away from the shallow areas also helps with any potential raccoon problem.

[michaelg]

That's a great pond. I wish we had room for a pond that size. With 4 turtles and 1000+ fish, I would be concerned with reproduction. If you have at least 1 female and 1 male turtle, you are going to end up with lots of hatchlings in a couple months. The fish population is going to swell significantly and with only 4 turtles, it will be hard to control the population. I would get rid of a large number of fish, like 95% of them. The turtles will be able to better control the population by eating the fry and minnows.

In your climate, turtles most likely brumate instead of hibernate. Brumation is similiar to hibernation, except it isn't long term and they don't quite completely shut down for the winter. During brumation a turtle may stay under leaves, weeds or mud at the bottom of the pond for a few days or a few weeks, coming up for air as needed and to check things out. They won't eat during this period and you shouldn't bother them during this period.

If you happen to have a dead tree or an unwanted tree on your property, I would recommend cutting it down and placing it in the pond so that part of the tree is under the water. This will give your turtles a more natural basking area as well as a place to hide from perdators. Since you have gradual inclines into the pond, raccoons are your turtles biggest enemies. In my pond, I did not create any gradual inclines into the pond, each wall drops straight down so raccoons could not get near the turtles. A raccoon will walk into shallow water to catch a meal, but they won't dive into deeper water.

-Michael

[Tokapeli]

your pond is awesome and a huge inspiration. I want to have a huge pond like that someday with a nice spot to kick back and enjoy a cold one on a nice day thanks for sharing

[rocklilybeast]

thanks for the warning about raccoons and dog bites. We do have raccoons - our old dog was always getting her nose scratched up because she wouldn't leave them alone (although we haven't seen any in a few years, doesn't mean they're not still out there somewhere in the neighborhood). My husband has been talking about making the turtles a floating 'dock' in the middle of the water somewhere that the dog can't get to them-I'll attempt to encourage that idea. So far, though, Zito only seems to be interested in hanging with them, not biting them. But they are getting MUCH braver - today 3 of 'em were out and my daughter was able to walk right over to them. One jumped in the water, but she was able to lean over and touch the shell of the big one - he never even budged. Plus, 2 of 'em were out on the opposite bank for a short time - first time they've been out on that side of the pond. So I guess they may start roaming the yard in a month or two. We'll see.