Looking for help!

miwa

New Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2022
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
Canada
Just over a year ago I adopted a box turtle. I believe him to be a 3 toed boxie, but his circumstances before me basically leaves his whole life a mystery. He’s essentially a rescue from a local high school that had him for about 20 years but the teacher retired and was trying to adopt out all the reptiles he had. For the first 20 or so years of his life (that’s based off the age the teacher gave me) he lived in a 10 gallon tank with a little hut, small water dish not even big enough to sit in, and wood shavings with a heat lamp. When I got him he could barely walk due to the cramped enclosure and subpar conditions led to his skin being flaky and dry. Fast forward to today, I have him in a 40gallon, about 3x3x2 (WxLxH) tank with lots of mossy ground, a big hiding spot that’s buried under the dirt and ferns, and a nice big container for swimming. It’s been a learning curve for sure, but I am determined to give him the environment he deserves to thrive in! I am looking for anyone with boxie experience to confirm his species for me first off just to make sure I’m heading in the right direction with care/ environmental needs, as well as any feeding tips for me. He eats relatively well, but I have a hard time convincing him to eat his veggies (he will eat worms all day every day if he could) because I want to make sure he’s getting all the vitamins he needs.

I’ve included some pics from when I started transitioning his environment from dry to more humid, mossy tank is present day!

Sorry for the long post, but happy to have joined the forum and look forward to learning from everyone!1337FFB1-905C-4087-9144-971CEF9431AA.jpeg
 

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Lyn W

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Jul 22, 2014
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Hi and welcome,
Thank you for rescuing this little tort, I don't know why schools are allowed to keep them in unsuitable conditions. It may be nice for the kids to see but they often get neglected.
I'm sure some of the members familiar with box turtle care will be along soon with some good advice.
 

Maro2Bear

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May 29, 2014
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14,712
Location (City and/or State)
Glenn Dale, Maryland, USA
Greetings. Looks like a Three Toed Box turtle to me too.

I found this little care guide for Three Toed boxies. The back end of your guy looks a bit swollen & puffy (to me anyhow) - maybe just the angle of the shot.

They do love their worms & grubs. Just need to chop up greens n things, worms, slugs, snails. Mix all together….make them work for it!


 

jeff kushner

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Jul 24, 2020
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2,688
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North of Annapolis
Welcome to the club Miwa and fantastic of you to take our little friend out of "prison" and bring him into your home and for taking care of him!

You might have known or you may have just lucked out, but this forum is where some serious talent resides.

Maro2 above is one of those individuals, take heed, read the care sheet......you wouldn't see it if it wasn't "vouched" for by folks who really know how to care for them.

There are several others as you'll see......

Lyn is a "go-to" if you need info fast.....here all the time and "on point" so to speak!

Your home for....(little guys name please) will likely evolve over time. I began for the first time, raising a near-hatchling Eastern box turtle and it's been a treat but she's had many home setups as I learn.

Just keep thinking "bog" instead of "dry forest" and you'll be off to a great start!

Good luck!

jeff
 

DoubleD1996!

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Joined
Feb 27, 2021
Messages
1,255
Location (City and/or State)
Memphis
Just over a year ago I adopted a box turtle. I believe him to be a 3 toed boxie, but his circumstances before me basically leaves his whole life a mystery. He’s essentially a rescue from a local high school that had him for about 20 years but the teacher retired and was trying to adopt out all the reptiles he had. For the first 20 or so years of his life (that’s based off the age the teacher gave me) he lived in a 10 gallon tank with a little hut, small water dish not even big enough to sit in, and wood shavings with a heat lamp. When I got him he could barely walk due to the cramped enclosure and subpar conditions led to his skin being flaky and dry. Fast forward to today, I have him in a 40gallon, about 3x3x2 (WxLxH) tank with lots of mossy ground, a big hiding spot that’s buried under the dirt and ferns, and a nice big container for swimming. It’s been a learning curve for sure, but I am determined to give him the environment he deserves to thrive in! I am looking for anyone with boxie experience to confirm his species for me first off just to make sure I’m heading in the right direction with care/ environmental needs, as well as any feeding tips for me. He eats relatively well, but I have a hard time convincing him to eat his veggies (he will eat worms all day every day if he could) because I want to make sure he’s getting all the vitamins he needs.

I’ve included some pics from when I started transitioning his environment from dry to more humid, mossy tank is present day!

Sorry for the long post, but happy to have joined the forum and look forward to learning from everyone!View attachment 339465
Definitely a 3 toe. Looks like he developed some mbd over those years in being in school, but trust me, I've seen worst. Check out one of my posts. Check out that care guide that was provided as well. A uvb strip that stretches over the top, a heat bulb, and nice humid substrate. A varied diet of insects, with occasional protein like pinky mice or even chicken heart. And most boxies are picky with greens. You could make a mask with mazuri tortoise chow with maybe some fruit and insects incorporated and throw those greens in there.
 

miwa

New Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2022
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
Canada
Greetings. Looks like a Three Toed Box turtle to me too.

I found this little care guide for Three Toed boxies. The back end of your guy looks a bit swollen & puffy (to me anyhow) - maybe just the angle of the shot.

They do love their worms & grubs. Just need to chop up greens n things, worms, slugs, snails. Mix all together….make them work for it!


Thank you so much! I’ve found a local vet that is well experienced with reptiles so when I bring him in I’ll bring up that issue. And thanks for the feeding tip! It’s kind of like tricking kids into eating their veggies lol
 

miwa

New Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2022
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
Canada
Welcome to the club Miwa and fantastic of you to take our little friend out of "prison" and bring him into your home and for taking care of him!

You might have known or you may have just lucked out, but this forum is where some serious talent resides.

Maro2 above is one of those individuals, take heed, read the care sheet......you wouldn't see it if it wasn't "vouched" for by folks who really know how to care for them.

There are several others as you'll see......

Lyn is a "go-to" if you need info fast.....here all the time and "on point" so to speak!

Your home for....(little guys name please) will likely evolve over time. I began for the first time, raising a near-hatchling Eastern box turtle and it's been a treat but she's had many home setups as I learn.

Just keep thinking "bog" instead of "dry forest" and you'll be off to a great start!

Good luck!

jeff
Thank you so much for the response! My little guys name is Tortimer (when I got him he went by Sheldon but I thought ur kinda cliche and wanted to change it to turn over a new chapter for him). You’re so right about his home changing, as I learn more I add and take away things and change configurations. I like to think he likes the change of scenery too! Everyone in here is so kind and knowledgeable, I’m so grateful for the advice!
 

miwa

New Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2022
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
Canada
Definitely a 3 toe. Looks like he developed some mbd over those years in being in school, but trust me, I've seen worst. Check out one of my posts. Check out that care guide that was provided as well. A uvb strip that stretches over the top, a heat bulb, and nice humid substrate. A varied diet of insects, with occasional protein like pinky mice or even chicken heart. And most boxies are picky with greens. You could make a mask with mazuri tortoise chow with maybe some fruit and insects incorporated and throw those greens in there.
Thanks so much for the response. I just looked up MBD and it sounds exactly like his condition. I actually had him for a summer back in high school and was able to take him out for garden walks which greatly helped his mobility but unfortunately he had to go back in the fall when I returned. Since permanently getting him I immediately upgraded tanks and noticed his natural behaviours such as burrowing start to come out as he had less than an inch of substrate when I got him. Judging by the things you guys have noticed a vet visit is definitely in order to make sure he’s on the right track! Thanks so much again.
 

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