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 #2169420


Frankthomas
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 Found large tortise and screwed up

On 8/12 I found this large tortise. He was huge (probably 25 lbs, 12" tall at the height of his shell, 12" wide and 16-18" long) and totally out of place for where I saw him. I live in Grand Rapids Michigan in a very wooded area with lots of lakes and ponds and also some sandy berms. Frogs and turtles are plenty but not what appears to me to be a desert tortise. I drove down my long driveway that has lowland/wetland on both sides. At the road which is a 4 lane 55mph road with a wide asphalt sidewalk frequented by runners, bicylclers and walkers on a 90 degree day in bright sun I saw this guy walking down the sidewalk like he was confidently out for a stroll.

I was late for an appointment so I was rushed. I got out of the car, took a couple pictures and a short video with my phone. I knew he was out of place but all I could think of was to photograph and then make him safe. So I used a stick to guide him off the sidewalk, away from the road and down the slope into a wooded lowland with a large pond 50 yards away. I believe he is a dry lander but he would want a drink in the heat.

I did the right thing in guiding him away from the traffic and to safety but finding him where I did had to be an anomally. Possibly an escaped pet or something. I can’t believe this animal is native to my area, Michigan or even the mid-West. I should have taken the time to capture him and keep him safe and contact an expert from the zoo or something.

So, can anyone identify this guy and tell me the odds of finding him where and how I did? And is there any chance of seeing him in my area again? Would he travel far in a couple days? Thanks.




08/14/10  08:56pm

 #2170477


Snowwhite
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   Message To: Frankthomas   In reference to Message Id: 2169420


 Found large tortise and screwed up

This is a fairly large Sulcata tortoise. They come from Africa, and they do not hibernate. Temperatures below 55 degrees will slow this fellas metabolism down to a fatal rate. Most likely, this an escaped pet. You should advertise in your immediate area for the pet owner. If you do not find one, try to find the tortoise, and find it a good home. They do tend to follow a pattern of behavior if they have a reliable food and water location. It’s not exact, but try a warm morning, and within 30-40 minutes of when you saw it last, before or after, and near a logical location, like I said, good water source, and plenty of non-toxic vegetation such as grass, succulent plant material, fruit falling from trees, etc. If you don’t make an effort to find this guy, it will die in the Michigan winter. You can attempt to attract it with a food pile of fresh fruits and veg. These guys are usually only skittish, and not overly agressive. you can pick it up about midway between the front and back of the carapice. Any way if you care about this guy, try to find it. I,d be happy to talk to you again if you need to. Good luck.



08/20/10  02:20am

 #2170885


Frankthomas
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   Message To: Snowwhite   In reference to Message Id: 2170477


 Found large tortise and screwed up

Thank you for your response. I do care about this guy and feel responsible. I should have made him safe and comfortable in captivity until I could find the owner. This week day time temps are forecasted to be highs as warm as 74 degrees F and night time lows as low as 56 degrees F. He’s not going to be happy.

The area I guided him into is a low lying wooded area with lots of low green leafy plants and a pond at the lowest end. It is right in front of my house. I did look for him the next day and then more aggressively 2 days later and no sign at all. I was hoping to find some burrowing or even tracks through the dead leaf covered floor of the wood.

It’s been over a week now since I last saw him. Do you think there is any chance of finding him in the area still? Would he seek to hide in dense brush or be in more open areas? Seeking the sun perhaps? Would he burrow or try to hide? Just tying to get a sense of how I might find him.

Thanks for any more assistance or advice on locating him you can give. I’ll try try the bait pile. Unfortunately there are lots of animals around like raccoons, skunk, woodchucks and such that would also eat a fruit bait pile. But I’ll try. And I’ll let you know if I have any luck.
08/22/10  11:21am


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