Recent content by KBeam

My ornate box turtle hibernates for 8 weeks regardless of lights and or heat. Even if she can’t see outside she seems to know when the days get longer/shorter. This year when she puts herself to bed, I’m going to let her hibernate in our insulated workshop. There is some evidence that females...

I think it should be disclosed, but it’s also very obvious in the photo.

With a kitchen scale, you can make perfectly proportioned “turtle meatballs” then freeze. I use ice trays with lids. As they thaw they get mushy and gross, just the way box turtles like them ?. I make 48 at a time and then supplement with what we’re having for dinner if suitable and in season...

My dog sitter that comes to my house was willing to care for my “shell folk” too, and she does a great job!

In Oklahoma you should be able to dry on screens in the sun. I would look on Pinterest for someone drying herbs for ideas.

I had someone suggest using the wildlife vet at our local university because they spend more time on reptiles than regular small animal vets. You could find a wildlife rehab that could give you a good suggestion.

I’ve seen people put more than one together with “tunnels” as their tortoise grows.

We heated our basement in Indiana with radiant floor heating. Works great.

For adults, I think it helps to keep them somewhere they can hear your voice and the noises of the household. I took in an adult ornate bt and I would talk with her every time I walked by her cage and gave her a few strokes on the shell. After about 6 months she will come out and see what I’m...

At least they’re buoyan.

FYI Ornate and western box turtles don’t have webbed feet and swim minimally. They’re considered terrestrial turtles.

You’ve convinced me to stick with the little guys!

I have an ornate box turtle that eats nearly all her poop. My vet at the University of Illinois told me it’s very common in terrestrial turtles. 1. they gain the extra nutrients and 2. It helps shield the presence from predators. It makes it easy to keep her cage clean, but I never kiss her...

When I was three, my family went out to the west coast and in Tijuana you could ride giant tortoises. I know it’s awful! But it was a long time ago. I was hooked. Since then tortoises have been my favorite.