Baby Box Turtle questions

[Lady Who]

ok hi, one of my chickens found a baby Gulf Coast Box turtle and My father and I decided that i would raise it back to health for a while. the only problem i know almost nothing on raising turtles. so i have has it for a month now and just found out it wasnt a common Box turtle but this Gulf Coast Box turtle. can someone help me to make sure that i am taking care of it right

turtle
this is a baby Gulf Coast Box turtle and isnt that big.
its wound is now healed but i want to keep an eye on her for a few more weeks

Cage set up (10 gal)
Eco earth coconut sub
a water dish that it is able to get into.
food dish (I give it mostly meal worms, whatever gross bug that i think it enjoys, baby/small turtle food and greens)
and a hide

after learning that its a diffrent type of turtle that lives in more marsh areas, i will mist down the cage once a day and going get heat light.

Questions:
is there anything else that i should make sure i do?
what kind of light should i get?

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

Box turtles are creatures of the forest floor, but you will still want to provide a basking light in one corner of the tank that has a bulb that puts out UVb light. That’s critical for his shell growth and overall health. Go with that instead of a heat bulb. It will generate enough heat for the day and room temperature is fine for night time. You are also right to mist it down once or twice a day. Humidity is important for baby turtle growth.

Sounds like you’re on the right track. Box turtles are omnivores with a penchant for eating insects. Fresh native fruits are also good (blackberries and whatnot).

 

[Serin]

Unless the turtle is injured, it needs to go back to the wild where it was found.

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

I see no moral problem with keeping it. Box turtles make good pets and there’s nothing wrong with keeping one from the wild as long as its needs are well met.

HOWEVER you do need to make sure its legal in your state. Some states prohibit possessing box turtles from the wild (even for a good cause like healing a wound).

 

[Lady Who]

I will get the bulb this weekend and some more live food thank you for letting me know.

I checked my state law when I first got him and I believe it’s ok and Iv thought about keeping it but I’m unsure at the moment and really want it to go out and Be free but I’m worried she a little brain damaged so I’m still thinking about it

 

[Aunt Angus]

Keep in mind that reptiles tend to live a looooong time... Like 50 years or more. I had tortoises, and I had to bequeath them to family members in my will because they would have outlived me. They have since been rehomed, though. They can live 2x as long in the wild!

 

[DragonParadigm]

Box turtles are creatures of the forest floor, but you will still want to provide a basking light in one corner of the tank that has a bulb that puts out UVb light. That’s critical for his shell growth and overall health. Go with that instead of a heat bulb. It will generate enough heat for the day and room temperature is fine for night time. You are also right to mist it down once or twice a day. Humidity is important for baby turtle growth.

Sounds like you’re on the right track. Box turtles are omnivores with a penchant for eating insects. Fresh native fruits are also good (blackberries and whatnot).

Yassss!!!! I love your advice!
I’m a herpetology enthusiast as well! Hence the name/ I have not kept box turtles, but I do own several lizards, snakes and a Sulcata tortoise. One thing I know is that too much fruit can cause diabetes in reptiles. Also stay away from spinach as it block calcium intake.

 

[DragonParadigm]

I will get the bulb this weekend and some more live food thank you for letting me know.

I checked my state law when I first got him and I believe it’s ok and Iv thought about keeping it but I’m unsure at the moment and really want it to go out and Be free but I’m worried she a little brain damaged so I’m still thinking about it

Only 30% of hatched reptiles survive in the wild. You have a baby that survived your chicken, but might actually have a better chance with you. This is the fine line where reptile keepers will actually tell you to keep the animal.

If you are providing adequate care and you find that the animal gives you happiness and emotional support in return than I think it’s a great companionship and a cute new family member.

 

[Lady Who]

This turtle weirdly doesnt like fruit or tomatoes so i dont push it but i do push the kale or (pestfree) dandelion greens.

I'm personally still not sure if i am going to be keeping her and will think about it heavily.

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

Box turtles aren’t huge fruit eaters. They’ll eat what’s native to their range in the SE US. Blueberries, blackberries, persimmons, ect. And in small doses as that’s how they usually find them in the wild. One here or there that has fallen to the ground. They really like poisonous mushrooms, but I wouldn’t recommend you try feeding those both for your safety and for the turtle’s. I know that they’re generally immune to mushroom toxins but I do not know if it is universal for all mushrooms or only specific varieties.

The box turtle’s penchant for eating death caps is a reason their flesh isn’t recommended eating in a survival situation. Which deer eat them too with no effect on the venison. But apparently the turtle meat gets tainted by mushrooms and is unsafe.