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Can I release my pet turtle, a red-eared slider, into the wild?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

We have a4 year old red eared slider. We plan on releasing him in April. We're going to drive to TeNnessee. Is april a good release time?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on March 8th, 2015

Once a turtle is in captivity it should not be released back into the wild for the following reasons: 1.The turtle can spread disease picked up in captivity to other turtles in the wild. Pathogens, viruses, and bacteria are not always presented in the form of a symptom. Even if the turtle looks and acts like its feeling well it can still carry pathogens that will wipe out entire populations of wild turtles. Your turtle could be immune but be a carrier and therefore highly contagious to other turtles. 2.Wild turtles live in areas where the food will sustain their needs. If everyone who decided his or her turtle would be better off free, think again. If you release the turtle into an area that is already heavy with native turtles, you end up with a situation where they are all competing for a limited amount of food. 3.Turtles should also never be released into the wild because of climate and adaptation. For instance, a non-hibernating turtle such as a Mexican Wood turtle or an African sideneck released in a cold climate like Tennessee, Maine, or anywhere there is potential for freezing weather will surely die. In addition, if your turtle was a pet and has relied on you for food, he may not be the strongest hunter and will slowly and painfully starve to death when he cannot find food easily.

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30Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Laura E. McRae

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on

    Captive-bred and raised reptiles, including red-eared sliders, should not be released into the wild. In many areas/states, it is illegal to release captive reptiles if they have been held in captivity for longer than 90 days. After spending its entire life in captivity, your slider will be at a significant disadvantage compared to turtles that have grown up in the wild. Your turtle will not be as adept at acquiring food and its bodily rhythms will not be attuned to seasonal and day/night cycles. Its chances of survival are very slim. Moreover, releasing captive reptiles into wild populations risks introducing foreign diseases and parasites into the wild population. Rather than releasing your turtle, I strongly recommend that you seek to re-home your turtle through a turtle or reptile rescue organization. You can google reptile rescues in your area/state for more information and assistance. http://www.redearslider.com/releasing_turtles.html

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    22Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Laura E. McRae

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on

    Captive-bred and raised reptiles, including red-eared sliders, should not be released into the wild. In many areas/states, it is illegal to release captive reptiles if they have been held in captivity for longer than 90 days. After spending its entire life in captivity, your slider will be at a significant disadvantage compared to turtles that have grown up in the wild. Your turtle will not be as adept at acquiring food and its bodily rhythms will not be attuned to seasonal and day/night cycles. Its chances of survival are very slim. Moreover, releasing captive reptiles into wild populations risks introducing foreign diseases and parasites into the wild population. Rather than releasing your turtle, I strongly recommend that you seek to re-home your turtle through a turtle or reptile rescue organization. You can google reptile rescues in your area/state for more information and assistance. http://www.redearslider.com/releasing_turtles.html

    Vote icon

    6Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Laura E. McRae

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on

    Captive-bred and raised reptiles, including red-eared sliders, should not be released into the wild. In many areas/states, it is illegal to release captive reptiles if they have been held in captivity for longer than 90 days. After spending its entire life in captivity, your slider will be at a significant disadvantage compared to turtles that have grown up in the wild. Your turtle will not be as adept at acquiring food and its bodily rhythms will not be attuned to seasonal and day/night cycles. Its chances of survival are very slim. Moreover, releasing captive reptiles into wild populations risks introducing foreign diseases and parasites into the wild population. Rather than releasing your turtle, I strongly recommend that you seek to re-home your turtle through a turtle or reptile rescue organization. You can google reptile rescues in your area/state for more information and assistance. http://www.redearslider.com/releasing_turtles.html

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    12Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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