General Care Discussion :: Moving my turtle to a new city

[Miriam]

Hello.

I will be moving from Cleveland to Philadelphia this summer and am wondering how long I can keep my 11-year-old RES out of water for the move. In the past when I've moved, I've taken her in a shoe box in my car with air holes and then immediately set up her tank upon arriving -- but in the past, it's only been about a 3 hour drive, and this will be a 7 hour drive not including stops, traffic, etc. Can I transport her the way I have in the past, or will this be too long for her to be out of water? Are there other recommendations for how to move her?

Thank you!

Miriam

[steve]

24hrs out of water in the right conditions (temperature) is fine. I think a shoe box is fine (with a towel lined bottom), and the darker it is, the more likely she will sleep. If that's out of your control, then you can rehydrate her at stops and let her drink/eat.

[Miriam]

That should be doable. What temperature range would you think is ok? How would you recommend I rehydrate her at stops? -- can I give her water to drink or do you recommend I bring a small tank in the car that I can put her in during stops?

[steve]

70-75 is fine. Just bring a small container that can hold her and some water, just make sure that she is supervised at all times in there.

[Miriam]

Are you suggesting the container of water for stops or for the actual trip? It seems like transporting her in water in a car would not be ideal, as she'll slide around. But I could bring a small water-tight container to put her in during stops.

[steve]

Only for the stops... do not transport her in water. You should have a few plastic storage container to use when you want to give her a soak. If the weather is on the cool side, you can probably skip it altogether.

[Miriam]

Got it. That makes sense. Thanks!

[steve]

Good luck with your move!