Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Found RES in neighbors backyard

[upjohn]

Hi I am new to the site. I wanted to ask all of you a question regarding RES care in NJ. I am an avid ponder and I have a large koi pond so I am familiar with all facits of pond care and maintenence. My question to all of you is if we decide to keep this RES, how does one winter outside. I cannot bring inside for I already have saltwater fish tanks and my wife would kill me.
Do they survive and hibernate well. Any direction would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

[steve]

Hi, welcome to the site. If this is a female RES, it's possible she was gravid and was about to or just had laid eggs. If there is a natural pond near by, she should be returned to it. As for hibernation, you're looking for a pond that will be several feet deep and won't be able to freeze completely.

[upjohn]

No pond nearby. I live in a pretty populated area and the only pond is mine. I am bafffled as to how it got here. When my neighbor came over, I was for sure to see a box turlte. I just want to help this guy/girl out. I was thinking of releasing a few miles from my house where there is a natural pond. Not sure yet, but I was really contemplating on keep it.

[steve]

If you have an in ground pond, you'll probably need to secure it to keep him/her in there.

[penelope]

While not an expert in the subject of the questions you are asking, I do want to say welcome to the forum!

They are both escape artists and prone to predators. Since your Koi are safe, I would guess the escape factor would be the larger of the two concerns, though the remedy is the same.
Since you just met him/her and are debating on keeping or not, I would venture to say that once you watch closely for a few days you will see a little personality shine through. Once you see that, odds are you'll be hooked

Oh! you can try to see if its a he or she by reading this part of the main sight.
http://www.redearslider.com/determining_sex.html

Best wishes!

btw - years ago one of my turtles escaped and he was found in a neighbor's yard 3-4 weeks later. So if all else fails, knock on some doors. If my unknown neighbor didn't come knocking I would have thought Jack was gone forever.