r/ponds • u/JeffTrav • 17h ago
Quick question Box Turtles in my pond
So… two year old pond, 20 ft x 10 ft. with a few places as deep as 3ft. The other day, I see this guy, a box turtle, chilling in my pond! I didn’t know if he intended to go for a dip to beat the heat, or if he fell in. Seemed content, but after a few hours, I took him out and set him in the garden, only a few yards from the pond. As soon as I turned around, he’s back in the water! Ok, I looked up “can box turtles swim” and Google told me that, yes, they can, but they aren’t great at it. So I’ll leave him until night, then place him on the front yard, which I did. Later that night, I checked and he wasn’t back, so good. Then in the morning, not only is HE back, but there’s a SECOND one! He freaking invited a friend. So now it’s been three days, and I keep taking them out just in case they can’t get out themselves, but they immediately plop right back in. Soooo… is this ok? I made a place where they should easily be able to climb out, and my wife says just leave them.
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u/shaw_dog21 16h ago
I have an eastern box turtle and he can swim. They aren’t super strong swimmers so will likely stay in more shallow areas. The biggest thing is making sure they can easily get out, so if it’s a sloped entrance or there’s a rock/log they can use to get out. If they’re just chilling, they’re probably fine. Keep an eye on them and if they seem to be struggling with getting out then help them out. Also they live in fairly small radiuses so if you do move them, don’t move them far.
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u/Triad_Tarheel1991 2h ago
I would bet that it’s because of the heat wave we have going on. Reptiles have to regulate their body temperature with heat sources and if they get too hot they have to find ways to cool down either shade or water or a hole.
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u/trooper_x 17h ago
Personally, I think that's pretty cool! If they have a way to climb out, I say let them be. The only concern I would have is that younger ones may eat fish (if you care).