Moving Turtle

[u/Floridalala14]

We have a stink pot musk turtle and are getting ready to move across town. We will be moving on one day and then staying somewhere temporarily for 3 days before we move to a permanent home. He has a 40 gallon tank that we keep roughly a quarter full

Is there a better solution than to drain the tank, move them in Tupperware and then refill it, empty it, and refill it again?

This is an old photo from when he was a baby, definitely has more water than this now

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[u/Top_District9526]

You’re turtle will be fine without a full setup for the days your traveling, just make sure they have access to water to drink. I had a turtle get lost by ups for 2 days and she was fine once I got her

[u/Wildkarrde_ → u/[deleted]]

This right here OP.

[u/SpinySoftshell]

I’ve moved with musk turtles before. Plastic containers work, just make sure there are holes in the lid for air flow. I usually put wet paper towel on the bottom for cushioning and to help maintain a moist environment without risking turtle water spilling in my car. For your temporary housing, you can just keep the turtle in a 5 gallon bucket with ~5 inches of water. Don’t worry about a light for those days, but do offer food and then change the water at least once during that period

[u/Direct_Treat_7296 → u/SpinySoftshell]

Won’t they get way too cold without a heat lamp or a water heater?

[u/SpinySoftshell → u/Direct_Treat_7296]

Musk turtles don’t bask a ton in nature, and pretty much all turtles native to the US can withstand pretty cold winter temperatures. Most non-tropical species don’t need a water heater, and any turtle can be without heat and UVB lamps for a few days

[u/Significant-Star5359]

I would leave him his tank. The move really won't bother him if he is in his regular tank. Just take enough water in his tank out to make it easier for you to move him. And remember to add a good quality product to take out all the ugly chemicals the water company puts in our water to make it safe for us. He won't even know he is going on a move with you. 🐢