Is it ok to take a painted water turtle back to the lake?

Answer by  SallyJ64 (3121)

They should be able to go back to the lake without any problems. Just be sure when you release a turtle it's in a safe place.

Answer by  jon6 (488)

It depends. If you aquired the painted water turtle from the side of the road or caught it in a lake, then it is safe to return it to the lake. If the turtle was captive bred, you can not return it to the lake.

Answer by  SunnyStars (836)

Some places it's illegal to release a previously captive animal out into the wild (even in a pond/lake). Even if you got that turtle from a certain lake, it might have been released there which makes it a nonnative species. Try finding a person willing to care for the turtle.