A few questions

[Brynmor]

Help with a new box turtle

Hi I am new to thiS forum as I just took In a baby box turtle from a "friend" and it was in a cup so I got some dirt from outside and put it In an extra 5 and a half gallon and have been misting it as I am prettty sure they need humidity he is about 1.5 inches I am going to petco In a few hours to get a 10 gallon tank because the five is to small to get a basking area without heating up the whole tank. I gave him two mealwor s and he ate one. If anyone could help me put with what else I need it would be much appreciated

 

[terryo]

RE: Help with a new box turtle

A ten gal. tank is perfect for 1 hatchling. This is what I do with hatchlings. I make a mix of soil, and coco coir or peat moss, then put in one nice size plant for it to hide under which will keep up the humidity. On one side a bunch of leaf litter to dig under and hide (which they will do most of the time). A water dish that's flat enough for the hatchling to sit in and soak, I use a saucer that come's under a plant pot. and a small flat piece of slate or stone to feed on. (helps keep the beak short). On top a screen cover with a small wt. heat bulb. I just use a 60 wt. bulb. At this age they don't bask. The most important thing is to keep misting the enclosure so there is a lot of humidity. They will dehydrate very quickly at this age and die. Right I have three hatchlings in a 40 gal., that I separated with a piece of tile. I also put some moss around the vivarium so that they only dig under the moss or leaf litter. This is my set up for the three hatchlings I have right now. Hope this helps....

 

[Brynmor]

Hi I just got a box turtle and had a few questions first do you guys have a few tips on how you keep the humidity up I have a few live plants and mist it frequently I heard about sixty to eighty percent and I can keep it about fifty easily without misting every couple minutes. Also I got him yesterday and he has only eaten about half a mealworm and spends most of his time buried in his Eco earth like substrate is this normal?

 

[terryo]

Hi...how old is your box turtle, and what kind is it? I keep mine outside in a turtle garden, but the one's that have to come in for the Winter, or the hatchlings, I keep in planted vivariums. I use a substrate of soil, mixed with peat moss or coco coir. I don't use a hide, but on one side of the vivarum I put a lot of leaf litter or long fiber moss to dig into. If they are hatchlings, they will stay dug under most of the time. If they are older, and since Winter is coming they will most likely slow down even though they are inside, especially if he is Wild Caught and used to hibernating outside. Do you have any pictures? Also since you just got him, he has to adjust to his new environment.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

RE: Help with a new box turtle

You might also check out Tess Cook's site for some good advice: boxturtlesite.info

 

[dmarcus]

RE: Help with a new box turtle

Hello and welcome to the forum...

Nothing more that I can add to what Terry has told you...

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Brynmor:

I merged your two threads into one. There's no sense in asking the same questions in the same forum on two different threads.

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

May we know your name and where you are?

 

[WallieTheTortoise]

A ten gal. tank is perfect for 1 hatchling. This is what I do with hatchlings. I make a mix of soil, and coco coir or peat moss, then put in one nice size plant for it to hide under which will keep up the humidity. On one side a bunch of leaf litter to dig under and hide (which they will do most of the time). A water dish that's flat enough for the hatchling to sit in and soak, I use a saucer that come's under a plant pot. and a small flat piece of slate or stone to feed on. (helps keep the beak short). On top a screen cover with a small wt. heat bulb. I just use a 60 wt. bulb. At this age they don't bask. The most important thing is to keep misting the enclosure so there is a lot of humidity. They will dehydrate very quickly at this age and die. Right I have three hatchlings in a 40 gal., that I separated with a piece of tile. I also put some moss around the vivarium so that they only dig under the moss or leaf litter. This is my set up for the three hatchlings I have right now. Hope this helps....

Terryo, so right now you don't use a UVB bulb? I'm getting my baby eastern box turtle on tuesday and I'm just curious.