Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: New RES Caretaker

[marilynjean]

I became an "accidental" RES caretaker about 3 weeks ago. While cleaning rain gutters found "Clyde" buried under some wet leaves. I've lived in my house for 30 years and have never seen a turtle. My house is many blocks away from any type of creek and the neighborhood is very busy with cars and trucks. How he arrived I'll never know and the only guess is that some predator carried him, couldn't eat him, and dropped him.

Three weeks ago I didn't even know what a Red Ear Slider was! It's been a whirlwind so far and in the beginning it was very overwhelming. Never did I suspect they required so much to get started. I'm getting there.

Very happy to have found this site and have been on it ALOT. I'm a little torn now on whether to keep him or maybe release him in the spring. He may be a male and from the looks of his shell he's been around for a long, long time. He's growing on me.

[steve]

Welcome to the forum! Is he friendly? A little fat? He could have been someones pet before he made it to you.

[devilduck]

Congrats on the new accidental pet!

[Kansasslider]

Welcome to the forum! Is he friendly? A little fat? He could have been someones pet before he made it to you.

You might try posting some signs in your neighborhood or look in the paper under lost or add under found its free.As Steve said it might be someone's pet.You can get another turtle but its hard to replace a beloved pet.If no one claims him then you can keep him Just my thoughts.

[apondfortimmy]

They do kind of grow on you, don't they.

[penelope]

Welcome!
Did you actually find him in your gutter?
Wow! what an awesome story!
Since "Clyde" now has name, my vote is that you are hooked
btw...tank decorations are cool for a whirlwind
Again, welcome.

[marilynjean]

I walk my dog everyday around the neighborhood and have been looking for signs. I certainly would return the turtle if someone was looking for him. Haven't seen anything in the paper either, but I'll keep an eye out. As far as being friendly he does get that way when it comes to food, then he's quite the beggar. Because of the issue of whether or not he's someones pet I haven't invested in a filter yet so doing 100% water changes daily. It's alot of work but have a system worked out with pumps and hoses so have it down to about a 20-30 minute process. He seems healthy, active, good appetite, basks. The green "sticks" are his candy but making sure he eats the leafy greens first before he gets the treat. He really likes carrots and treating those as special treats as well. Really relieved to have found this site!

No, I didn't find him in my gutter. I was cleaning the gutters and when moving the ladder felt something rocklike under my feet, brushed aside the pile of leaves and there he was.

[steve]

He looks a little rough... some bruises and maybe a missing nail. I'll give him a good examination.