I found him in a disgusting polluted creek where nothing lives but muskrats and insects. He couldn't have grown there with no food and all that pollution. Even if he is wild, I know he didn't come from around here because that gross old creek is the only body of water around here. I appreciate your advice. I think I know someone who has a pond in their backyard that they've kept turtles in. I will contact him.I find them in ponds here in maryland all the time. People tend to release them into the wild when they get to big. I actually caught one while fishing last year in a nearby pond. The hook messed up his neck a bit so I treated him with antibiotics and set up a habitat for him for a month or so while he was recuperating. He escaped from his tank a couple of times and spent a week out of water in the warehouse somewhere. I had no problems feeding him turtle sticks even though he was wild caught so I assumed he was either really hungry or someone had released him there. I re-released him before the end of summer.
According to Utah Division of Wildlife Resources there are many reproducing populations of red eared sliders in Utah. He very well could be been born in that area you found him in. If he is not used to people he will probably never eat in front of you. If it is warm enough I would let him loose or try and find a home for him. Just my opinion.
Thanks, I don't know where to put him because that tub he's in is the biggest thing I have but he can barely move in there. I could put him in the bathtub. I might try feeding him a small feeder fish since he's so big and may not be used to eating pellets.I also raised them when I was in high school. I kept mine in a 20 gallon tank with a "raft" made out of cork wood that he could climb onto and bask in the UV light I gave him. They love swimming so need water deep enough for that-but need to be able to climb out to bask. Pellets are okay-but believe it or not, I fed mine mealy worms (which I propogated in oatmeal but I believe you can get them at some pet stores), bits of raw fish and tiny pieces/balls of hamburger. I fed them in a container with a bit of water and that way when he's done eating you can put him back in the tank so the water doesn't spoil.