Master Splinter would be proud...

[Nafun]

This afternoon I did a turtle head count...
Four.
...
I took all the water plants and the filter out.
...
Four
...
I pulled up the astro turf and sifted through the sand
...
Four.
...

Ok, one of the little bastards made a break for it. He managed to scale the 6-8" wall of vertical astroturf at the back of his tub, and make it to the floor. We tore the room apart looking for him to no avail. We came to the conclusion that he must have gotten under the door.

We eventually... after much searching, found him...

He managed to avoid a dog, and five cats to make it into another bedroom, and end up behind 4 book cases and a shipping crate.

[Nafun]

Getting him out required specialized equipment.

Enter, my reaching broom.

He's no worse for wear after his little adventure, just a little covered in dust bunnies. I'm not sure what he was looking for, but I intend to be on the lookout for pizza and Shredder.

Needless to say, the astroturf "climbing wall" is being cut down. I honestly didn't think they could climb straight up like that.

[emseeKAY]

haha glad you found him, he could be looking for chemical waste, or jiujitsu for dummies...

[marvelfreak]

Never doubt Master Splinter skills. A true ninja can climb almost anything.

[emseeKAY]

Never doubt Master Splinter skills. A true ninja can climb almost anything.

i believe they can climb anything ;)

[shaunyboy]

totally loved this post.you must have been the hide and seek champion at your school mate.how you found something so little is truely amazing imo.

re the wee guy,he's one determined wee chap.thats bound to have been one huge adventure for him dodging cats,dogs,human feet and yet that big dude who feeds us still found me:shocked: :yes:

wait till he trains the rest of them up mate you'll really have problems then:yes:

if they werent so much work id be starting to think about getting one or two of these guys.
cheers shaun

[Lankyrob]

He could be the Steve McQueen of the group - an escape just to make a map of the surrounding area whilst the rest stay behind to dig the tunnel!!

[Nafun]

Regarding how I found him.

It was all about turtle psychology. I had to think like a turtle.

The first thing I thought was, he hit the ground, he's knocked silly, and terrified because he's in the open, he's going to run for cover. I realized that running for cover, he'd hit a wall, and once he hit a wall, he'd probably follow it, since there's generally plenty of cover along baseboards.

Once I'd cleared the reptile room, I realized that he could fit under the door, a door that covers all but the bottom inch of a doorway is no barrier to a turtle half an inch tall, afterall.

Then I stood in the hallway and thought "What would happen to a turtle who wandered into this hallway?" And I thought, "He'd get passed around like a hockey puck by the cats", well, the cats always lose their toys under the same door (which we keep shut). Then it was just a matter of following the baseboards again.

I think the only real danger for him was getting eaten by the dog, I'm glad he's ok.

[msvalentino]

omg.. hahaha.. I have two turtles named Bonya and Anya. They are RES. I clean their tank once a week and so far no breaks out has been made until.... I move them to new tank.

One day I was out for college and when I am back... Bonya is missing. No sign of him everywhere... Looked under the bed, under my computer table, behind my book rack. None. Until... I look through under all my novels and some plastic miniature. He was there.. Sleeping. Near Holy Mary.. *sweat*

Oh, anyway, that's good for you to found your turtle. Hope he won't be so naughty and gone missing again!

Cheers!