+- Animal Lovers Web Forum (http://www.animalloverswebforum.com)
+-- Forum: General (http://www.animalloverswebforum.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: general discussions (http://www.animalloverswebforum.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=22)
+--- Thread: Do not release pet turtles to the wild! (/showthread.php?tid=9491)
Do not release pet turtles to the wild! - Catherine - 08-22-2026
People love to have pet turtles, but they are often unaware of how big they can get or how long they can live.
When they feel they can no longer keep the turtle, they release it in some pond or lake.
This is wrong for so many reasons. A pet turtle does not know how to live in the wild.
Most pet turtles come from warmer countries and they are unable to survive the colder winters where they are released.
Smaller released pets just get eaten by a predator they do not know how to avoid. Survival is unlikely.
If it does survive, the turtle can outcompete the native turtles. It can introduce diseases unknown in the area.
It can even out compete for the females and prevent native turtles from reproducing.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/general/abandoning-pet-turtles-is-a-turtle-y-terrible-idea/ar-AA23QAt4?ocid=edgdhpruby&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a892552ed6948c29046d8f0ea5fd701&uxmode=ruby&ei=176
There are turtles rescues in many places. Most shelters will take in a turtle. There are sanctuaries that will provide a permanent home for and older turtles
There is never any good reason to release a pet turtle. There are many good options for rehoming a turtle.
No pet should ever be abandoned, especially not a turtle.