Updated: Cumberland Slider Turtle Help

[HeatherKellyB]

Hi! I hope I'm posting in the correct place (Other Pets & Livestock). Late yesterday afternoon we took the boat out on the pond to get a closer look at the Canada goslings that hatched the evening before. The Goose hatched her eggs on an island in the middle of our pond, so while we were circling the island, we found the tiniest turtle that I've ever seen. It's only slightly larger than a quarter. The turtle was trying to climb out of the water and onto the island with a lot of difficulty. Since it was so small, we were able to grab it easily. The turtle didn't try to get away and I'm guessing it's because it's so young. I'd love to ask some questions to anyone with knowledge about box turtles, especially really young ones. Thank you

 

[KiwiandPeachthePigeons]

I don’t know much about specifically box turtles, but I say if it’s on an island, take it to dry land with lots of cover. Now if you want to keep it, that’s a different problem. Box turtles can grow pretty big, so a 40 gallon terrarium with Eco Earth as substrate and lots of places to hide would suffice. They would need a heat lamp for the day and preferably a red light for night or a heat pad. Again it just depends on what you want to do with it.

 

[featherhead007]

Hi to you and your little turtle

 

[HeatherKellyB]

My daughter is 100% fully committed to this turtle and it's well being. Both of us would really like to keep it, if we can care for it properly and give it a good life. The turtle is in a 20inx30.5in tub right now. I figured they might be like fish in the aspect of keeping them in too small enclosure could limit their growth, but I don't know. I have a red reptile light that I used in my brooder before I purchased a heat plate. Do I need to get a white UV light to use for daytime hours? I'm guessing a heat plate won't work for the turtle, right? I have finely chopped up some grapes and tomatoes and also caught some crickets, but I'm unsure on how to feed these since the cricket is close in size to the turtle.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I don’t know much about specifically box turtles, but I say if it’s on an island, take it to dry land with lots of cover. Now if you want to keep it, that’s a different problem. Box turtles can grow pretty big, so a 40 gallon terrarium with Eco Earth as substrate and lots of places to hide would suffice. They would need a heat lamp for the day and preferably a red light for night or a heat pad. Again it just depends on what you want to do with it.

Thank you for your time and advice

 

[KiwiandPeachthePigeons]

You need to buy a special reptile light. You can find them at pet stores. I’ll go do some googling for you!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Hi to you and your little turtle

Hi there @featherhead007 Happy Easter!

 

[KiwiandPeachthePigeons]

https://www.reptilecentre.com/info-box-turtle-care-sheet

 

[HeatherKellyB]

You need to buy a special reptile light. You can find them at pet stores. I’ll go do some googling for you!

The red reptile light is only for night-time use, right?

 

[KiwiandPeachthePigeons]

Yes. The enclosure should also be well ventilated so it doesn’t get too humid.