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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?
5 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Debi Matlack
Veterinary Technician
Published on March 8th, 2015
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.
30Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Laura E. McRae
Veterinary Technician
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.html22Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Laura E. McRae
Veterinary Technician
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.html6Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Laura E. McRae
Veterinary Technician
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.html12Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Penelope Graben, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 16th, 2018
Hello,
Please do not release your sliders into the wild. Domestic reptiles being released into the wild is the number one cause of fatal disease spread in wildlife.
I would recommend taking your turtles into an animal shelter where they can receive care and be rehomed.
I hope this helps! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!2Pet Parents found this answer helpful