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  1. M

    Upcoming hibernation

    I am curious what, if any, adjustments any of us box turtle keepers do to their outside 100% of the time turtles to prepare them for hibernation. Where I am (Texas), my three toed's and Ornate's typically go down for good in November. Before that, I will mound up fallen leaves into piles in...
  2. M

    Lost his way

    Good for you to 1) save them and 2) return them to the wild!
  3. M

    Few Eastern boxes

    very cool!
  4. M

    Wild Turtle Protected Nesting Boxes

    I don't think you could attract the females to the nesting area other than to make it most palatable to them as in loose soil, moist, etc. I guess you could till in compost to loosen the soil and keep it somewhat more wet than the surrounding area, but whether it attracts them is unlikely...
  5. M

    Found tortoise with cracked shell

    Agree - let it go where you found it- it's most likely wild and another victim of wandering into the sight of humans who feel they need to "rescue" him. Un-rescue him right back to where he was found and let him go free and wild, as nature intended.
  6. M

    Need ideas for box turtle pond

    Mark, great pics but not sure I really understand how that thing works... It looks like you have a shut off vavle a few feet away from the pond. What does it do? How does it interact with the "pond"?
  7. M

    How box turtles are made.

    Nothing to "un-see". It's just mating.
  8. M

    Found babies in my backyard, help!

    I echo all the above - they are three toed box turtles hatchings AND YOU NEED TO RELEASE THEM back into the wild where you found them. Hopefully that is in or near a creek or greenspace or easement area that remains "wild" or un-mowed and has tree cover to provide fallen leaves and such for...
  9. M

    Interesting observation

    Enclosure looks good - I really like the grating over the top. babies are so vulnerable to predators that adults would not be - namely rats at night and birds like crows. The baby will come around soon enough and explore. Give it time...
  10. M

    What did I find in my backyard?

    The first turtle is an outstanding example of a male Ornate box turtle. With a large hole in the side of his shell! The second one is very odd. Looks like a three toed but it's shell pattern is very odd. NOT like "normal" three toed's. Could be a hybrid. Anyway, I see you're in Lubbock...
  11. M

    Box Turtles - how many together?

    In my experience, my three toed and ornate box turtle's do perfectly fine together in a large enclosure. They don't fight nor have I ever seen a female ganged up on. I have a large enclosure and I mean large, and I'm sure that helps. The only interaction they have outside of mating is when I...
  12. M

    Need ideas for box turtle pond

    here's my two cents on this. My first try for a pond was using a pond liner bought at Lowe's, but I wouldn't really recommend it. The liner you have to fold and configure to your pond shape and the folds don't look too good. Plus, stuff gets caught under them (like turtle poop, leaves...
  13. M

    Need Advice: Nesting Ornate

    Interesting and informative replies ZenHerper - thanks.
  14. M

    EMERGENCY!!! NEED HELP ASAP!!

    Agree with all above posts- looks wild but it could have been wild at some point and then taken captive for a while so already had the beat up shell, but yes, was wild for at least a large portion of its life. An easy way to tell if it was a captive turtle - at least for a while - is how did it...
  15. M

    Kind. (species?)

    Your post is somewhat un-clear. If this turtle was found in the wild, LEAVE IT BE and allow it to go on about it's business. Taking turtles from the wild is not only wrong, but could be illegal in your state. Acquiring captive bred easterns and three toed's is not too difficult, just scan the...
  16. M

    Help in species identification, please.

    Three toed box turtle. The hind legs have the three toes - not the front legs. And yes, the beak is very overgrown. TT's are tough turtles, and these have clearly had in-adequate care, but you should be able to nurse them back. A trip to your local vet that deals with reptiles to have the...
  17. M

    A Little Visitor

    so cool to see in the wild - congrats!
  18. M

    Please help me identify

    Agreed - three toed box turtle, and also agree - release it where it was found.
  19. M

    i'm a beginner

    Agree that you should release it back into the wild. You are clearly doing the right thing by looking to learn about their care rather then sticking it into an aquarium and calling it a day, but the right thing to do is release it. Three toed hatchlings - which is what yours looks like - are...
  20. M

    Natural tragedy

    Interesting fact of nature - I didn't know that about getting stuck in the flipped over position. I guess with sand being so "moveable", they get no leverage pushing against it with their neck and so remain flipped over. Nature at work I guess. Glad you were able to help one out - good for you!
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