Got a Box Turtle - *pics &update pg 3 *

[rilly10]

Very nice set ups everyone! I agree that rubbermaid tubs or even a kiddie pool are the way to go inside. Box turtles and tortoises don't do well in glass terrariums. Many of them will rubb their noses raw on the glass. Check out this link.... They have awesome info and is my byc for reptiles! http://forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?catid=30.

 

[WizChick]

I use http://russiantortoise.org/forum.htm as my BYC for my russian tortoise. They also have discussion forms for Sulcata, Leopard, Hermann's, red and yellow foot tortoises as well as box and aquatic turtles.

 

[Rozzie]

Quote:
Absolutely wrong, unless that baby box turtle was hatched in captivity and hand raised. NEVER EVER take a baby box turtle -- or adult -- out of the wild UNLESS its entire habitat area is being destroyed (razed to construct a large mall and dozens of acres of parking) or it is BADLY injured and you are going to try to save its life.

As for letting it go...you almost certainly doomed it to die. Read the above posts, please.

Also, if an animal of ANY type is not growing in captivity to its normal size then it is because it does not have proper conditions or diet. If it isn't growing it is because the diet or conditions that it is living in has stunted it.

 

[rilly10]

I agree 100% captive BRED is truly the way to go. Also, I am glad you addressed the horrible myth that a reptile won't out grow it's enclosure. Tell my diamondback terrapins thal lol!!!! If your reptiles are not growing you are not caring for them or you are not feeding them properly.

 

[Rozzie]

Quote:
Fish, too. If a fish is not growing to its normal size, then it is because its habitat is not correct for the species. A commonly abused (and yes, abused IS the correct word) kind of fish is the plecostomus -- the little bottom feeders that people pick up as cute little one inch fish at pet stores. These should grow so big that a 55 gallon tank is not sufficient for them. Few people have the ability to properly care for a plecostomus for long. Goldfish are another commonly abused fish...and I haven't even touched on bettas, which people buy then put in stupid little drinking glass sized containers of water.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I agree, I ALWAYS try to give my animals more space than they need, because they usually end up needing it all!

 

[Goat_Walker]

Well I ended up releasing him yesterday in almost the exact same spot i got him

He was immediantly on the move so im hoping i didnt cause too much damage to the old timer. I couldnt put him back exactly where i found him since i found him stuck in the mud and covered in ants.

When i had him inside i had him in a kiddie pool in my room with some hay ,one of those shelter logs , and a heat lamp with a light bulb recommended by the pet store. cost me $30.

I did get some pretty good pictures though:

 

[Goat_Walker]

 

[equine623]

Thank you for putting him back

I bit my tongue on this, reptiles are my passion but I'm glad you made the right choice.

Actually - hard to be sure just from pics but the tail looks shorter like a female...were the eyes more brown or more orange/red? Brown is female (well usually, like with anything there are always exceptions

)

 

[Goat_Walker]

The eyes were a blood red color.

I never keep anything i find longer than a week. Usually just long enough to learn something new and take pictures.