Advice

[ampete1987]

My coworker asked me if I would be willing to take her turtle. She said it was her kids and they don’t want it anymore. I have a sulcata tortoise, but I’m not familiar with this turtle. Other people seem to think it’s a box turtle. Does this group also agree?
I have this picture and a video I couldn’t get to post, but I haven’t taken ownership yet.
What is some important information on caring for this type of turtle?
How is it different than caring for a sulcata tortoise? I’m in the beginning stages of doing research, but I know that this turtle isn’t being very well taken care of so I’m hoping I can give it a new clean bill of Health.

 

[COmtnLady]

Welcome to the Forum!

Its really good you are doing research first! She looks skinny to me, but I'm not an aquatics person.

Let's get some of our more-experienced-with-turtles members to respond.

@Yvonne G @turtlesteve

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

It looks to be a 3 Toed box Turtle It needs more meat (worms or bugs ) ..

 

[wellington]

Yes, it is a box turtle.
They need a water source they can go into and swim. They can eat more things than a sulcata. They eat more the diet of a Redfoot
This one is housed all wrong from how dry it is.
@Yvonne G can help further

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Welcome to the forum!

The current housing needs to be totally revamped.

 

[TammyJ]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Stay with us for the best setup advice for your box turtle!

 

[jeff kushner]

I don't want '87 to have to wait so I'll toss out some pretty safe advice for any turtle until the real talent gets here! LOOK at the CARE sheets!! LOL They are really well written...they are in the folders at the top of this section, in the Stickies!.

"Think wet, think more like bog than desert" Keep him above 82F or so if you want him to eat. He likely won't eat at lower temps. Normal homes are not warm enough. He needs that heat to assist in his digestion. He also needs a place to bail if he gets too warm....lastly, he needs a tub of fresh water big enough for him to crawl into and out of each day. My box turtle when on a normal cycle eats, then climbs in the water for 20-0 minutes, then poops in his water as he gets out. He's like an old person! LOL

People often lump tortoises and turtles together and think their care is universal. Unfortunately for the turtle, it takes the brunt of this ignorance. It is often left hot and dry or worse, it is left cold and dry. We really appreciate your efforts to hook him up to make it nice for him.

Good luck to you and your little guy and welcome to the club, there's some real sharp folks here.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Here's a care sheet you can read to help...they are very personable and intelligent
Box Turtle Care Sheet

 

[ampete1987]

Welcome to the forum!

The current housing needs to be totally revamped.

I have a large 72 x 18 x 22 glass aquarium that I was planning to put her in. But another group I’m in mentioned not to put her in the glass aquarium because it can cause respiratory infection with poor airflow, and it’s hard to regulate temps in a glass tank. Will this be an issue?
I was planning to black out at least 3 of the sides. What would be best to use? Just black paper? Or would wood be a better options and possible help with heat regulation?

 

[ampete1987]

It looks to be a 3 Toed box Turtle It needs more meat (worms or bugs ) ..

Thank you. It sounds like they were only feeding her lettuce so I’m not sure if she’s had any animal protein in her entire life. How much is too much?
I’ve been feeding her two wax worms, two meal worms, and two red worms each day. I thought maybe nightcrawlers would be too big for her, but now that I saw her go after the red worm I feel like she’s probably gonna be OK and I was planning to get some of those today.

 

[ampete1987]

Here's a care sheet you can read to help...they are very personable and intelligent
Box Turtle Care Sheet

Thank you. That was very helpful. In an another groups I joined they mention not to use glass aquariums. I have a large tank that’s 72 x 18 x 22. That I was planning to use. But they had mentioned that this can cause respiratory infection infections due to poor ventilation and difficulty regulating temperatures in glass tanks. What do I need to know about this? Is this true?

 

[ampete1987]

I have a large 72 x 18 x 22 glass aquarium that I was planning to put her in. But another group I’m in mentioned not to put her in the glass aquarium because it can cause respiratory infection with poor airflow, and it’s hard to regulate temps in a glass tank. Will this be an issue?
I was planning to black out at least 3 of the sides. What would be best to use? Just black paper? Or would wood be a better options and possible help with heat regulation?

 

[ampete1987]

It looks to be a 3 Toed box Turtle It needs more meat (worms or bugs ) ..

It looks to be a 3 Toed box Turtle It needs more meat (worms or bugs ) ..

It sounds like she was only fed lettuce. So I’m not sure that she’s had animal protein in her entire life. I’ve been feeding her two wax worms, two mealworms and two red worms each day and sprinkled a little bit of calcium on them. I wasn’t sure if she was large enough to catch nightcrawlers but after watching her catch the red worms I think she will do just fine. So I was going to pick up some of those today. How much is too much? Should I be feeding her an even larger amount to Build back up her muscle?

 

[ampete1987]

Yes, it is a box turtle.
They need a water source they can go into and swim. They can eat more things than a sulcata. They eat more the diet of a Redfoot
This one is housed all wrong from how dry it is.
@Yvonne G can help further

I am planning to put her in a 72 x 18 x 22 glass aquarium. But I’ve read that it’s hard to regulate temperatures and can cause respiratory infections with bad airflow. Would you agree?
I purchased a waiting pool and was planning to have one wet side and one dry side.

 

[wellington]

I am planning to put her in a 72 x 18 x 22 glass aquarium. But I’ve read that it’s hard to regulate temperatures and can cause respiratory infections with bad airflow. Would you agree?
I purchased a waiting pool and was planning to have one wet side and one dry side.

Aquarium personally too small. If it's just short term it will do.
@DoubleD1996!
@jeff kushner
@EppsDynasty
Can also help

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

It sounds like she was only fed lettuce. So I’m not sure that she’s had animal protein in her entire life. I’ve been feeding her two wax worms, two mealworms and two red worms each day and sprinkled a little bit of calcium on them. I wasn’t sure if she was large enough to catch nightcrawlers but after watching her catch the red worms I think she will do just fine. So I was going to pick up some of those today. How much is too much? Should I be feeding her an even larger amount to Build back up her muscle?

 

[Maggie3fan]

Thank you. That was very helpful. In an another groups I joined they mention not to use glass aquariums. I have a large tank that’s 72 x 18 x 22. That I was planning to use. But they had mentioned that this can cause respiratory infection infections due to poor ventilation and difficulty regulating temperatures in glass tanks. What do I need to know about this? Is this true?

The main problem with glass aquariums is that the animal can see out and tries to get out all the time...take some paper and tape it around the bottom about 5 inches up...for a box turtle it's perfect! Then you create a pool and beach...

 

[ampete1987]

The main problem with glass aquariums is that the animal can see out and tries to get out all the time...take some paper and tape it around the bottom about 5 inches up...for a box turtle it's perfect! Then you create a pool and beach...

I taped up a black sheet on 3 sides and will plan to tape up paper or something on the fourth side.
It’s odd. She doesn’t seem to mind the glass in her current enclosure that she’s been in the for last 20 years, and actually seems curious and looks around and watches me.