- Jul 14, 2010
- 3,577
- 29
- 181
First, where did you get your box turtle? IT is illegal to remove them from the wild in many places. If you removed it from the wild, the best thing you can do is to take it back to the EXACT spot where you took it from and release it. If you release it somewhere else, it will almost certainly die. They have a "memory" of their home turf and don't do well being relocated.
Second, if return to the place of origin is not possible, or if this was a handraised/pet shop purchase, I'd like to suggest that you go to this site:
http://www.turtleforum.com/forum/upload/index.php?act=home
You can post pictures there and people who know a lot more about turtles can help you identify what you have and how to take care of it.
A few quick basics, though, if this is actually a box turtle.
A box turtle is a land turtle. It CANNOT be kept in an aquarium. DO NOT put it in a tank of water. You will kill it. It needs a very LARGE enclosure. Mine has an enclosure that is something like 3x8 foot, and frankly, I'd like to enlarge it to double the size. It's on the small side.
Box turtles must have a heat lamp. This should be left on 24 hours a day. They also need a special type of light bulb. You need to get one that has BOTH UVA & UVB. This will cost a minimum of about $60. Some bulbs run up closer to $100. IT depends on the fixture and the exact type of bulb. Some of these emit heat, as well. If you use one that emits heat, you will also need a separate heat lamp for at night that does NOT emit light. It is best to put all lights on timers as you will not be able to guarantee that you will turn it on and off at regular times daily.The expensive UVA & UVB light is NOT optional. Your turtle will get metabolic bone disease without it.
Box turtles also have special dietary needs. They should be given fruit/veggie salads daily. Some veggies aren't good for them -- they should not have iceberg or romaine lettuce & you have to be careful not to give a lot of "dark" greens. Read the care sheet for your species at the link above as a starting place. They will also need some protein. Some turtles will eat earthworms for protein. Others will eat other types of insects. Again, look at the care sheets for your particular species.
Your turtle also needs a substrate that is somewhat "earthy." The problem is that many of these get really nasty. I suggest the coconut husk fiber substrate. It lasts a long time & doesn't get foul smelling. You will need to spray this down to moisten it daily. Your turtle needs areas of moist --but not soggy--substrate. He/she may bury himself in it. Without this, he/she can dehydrate.
Your turtle also needs a shallow water dish to soak in. It needs to be able to easily climb in and out of this. Generally, box turtles "eliminate" waste in their water dish, so this must be changed daily.
DO NOT put this turtle in a Rubbermaid tub or in a fish tank. It will die. These are animals that live for several decades. It has a lot of special care needs. If you want a turtle that is an "easy care" turtle, this is not the type of animal to have.
Second, if return to the place of origin is not possible, or if this was a handraised/pet shop purchase, I'd like to suggest that you go to this site:
http://www.turtleforum.com/forum/upload/index.php?act=home
You can post pictures there and people who know a lot more about turtles can help you identify what you have and how to take care of it.
A few quick basics, though, if this is actually a box turtle.
A box turtle is a land turtle. It CANNOT be kept in an aquarium. DO NOT put it in a tank of water. You will kill it. It needs a very LARGE enclosure. Mine has an enclosure that is something like 3x8 foot, and frankly, I'd like to enlarge it to double the size. It's on the small side.
Box turtles must have a heat lamp. This should be left on 24 hours a day. They also need a special type of light bulb. You need to get one that has BOTH UVA & UVB. This will cost a minimum of about $60. Some bulbs run up closer to $100. IT depends on the fixture and the exact type of bulb. Some of these emit heat, as well. If you use one that emits heat, you will also need a separate heat lamp for at night that does NOT emit light. It is best to put all lights on timers as you will not be able to guarantee that you will turn it on and off at regular times daily.The expensive UVA & UVB light is NOT optional. Your turtle will get metabolic bone disease without it.
Box turtles also have special dietary needs. They should be given fruit/veggie salads daily. Some veggies aren't good for them -- they should not have iceberg or romaine lettuce & you have to be careful not to give a lot of "dark" greens. Read the care sheet for your species at the link above as a starting place. They will also need some protein. Some turtles will eat earthworms for protein. Others will eat other types of insects. Again, look at the care sheets for your particular species.
Your turtle also needs a substrate that is somewhat "earthy." The problem is that many of these get really nasty. I suggest the coconut husk fiber substrate. It lasts a long time & doesn't get foul smelling. You will need to spray this down to moisten it daily. Your turtle needs areas of moist --but not soggy--substrate. He/she may bury himself in it. Without this, he/she can dehydrate.
Your turtle also needs a shallow water dish to soak in. It needs to be able to easily climb in and out of this. Generally, box turtles "eliminate" waste in their water dish, so this must be changed daily.
DO NOT put this turtle in a Rubbermaid tub or in a fish tank. It will die. These are animals that live for several decades. It has a lot of special care needs. If you want a turtle that is an "easy care" turtle, this is not the type of animal to have.
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