CS1976
Member
Anyone here breed, or know of someone who breeds Three Toed Box Turtles? I am located in South Central Missouri, in the Ozarks. Any info, recommendations or contacts would be appreciated. Thank you!
Any Three Toed Boxies?
- Thread starter CS1976
- Start date
I do let me know what you’re looking for!
CS1976
Member
I am looking for one young one, unless they are very inexpensive. Then I might be interested in more. Where are you located? Thanks!
CS1976
Member
So I’ve got my enclosure set up and running so I can tweak my heat/light controllers and get everything right before I find a turtle. The enclosure is a 55 gallon tank for now. I am planning to build an insulated closed chamber within the first year. There is more space where the tank sits than it uses so I will be able to build bigger this way. Something in the neighborhood of 30x50”. The 55gal has lids to keep the heat and humidity in. UV is a Reptisun 10.0 t8(new bulb once turtle is in there) set to come on at 10am and go off at 2pm. Height is about 14” off of the substrate. In the zoomed double dome is a CHE set to come on at 75F and off at 85F during daytime hours(nights stay over 70 in my house)and a 45w incandescent flood set to come on at 7am and off at 7pm. It will turn off at temps higher than 95 if for some reason it ever gets there. Just as a failsafe. I will add some kind of ambient led lighting soon. Substrate is native soil and eco earth coco. I have some orchid bark coming to get some more depth in the middle section of the tank. I have made a leaf pile behind and above the humid hide. Hide is a pet store plastic cave. Pretty good size for a juvenile. I will have to raise it up on more substrate as the young one grows(at 3” or so, I will build an outdoor enclosure on my 20acres in the Ozarks so this will all change). On one side of the enclosure I have a paint roller tray acting as a pond. Water is aerated for now but I plan on building a mini diy canister filter feeding some sort of waterfall/ water feature in the near future. I also have to add some flat rocks to aid in climbing out of the tray. Dishes are 6” terracotta. Once I know the turtle uses the pond, I will probably remove the water dish to give more space. Plants are native weeds that grow here in three toed boxies habitat and I will add more as they establish. Plantains and grasses are planned. I think I am pretty ready but I am open to constructive criticism. That is why I am posting
. Just got to find a small three toed box turtle now
. I will post pics in another message.
. Just got to find a small three toed box turtle now. I will post pics in another message.CS1976
Member
CS1976
Member
Sorry for the reflections and water on the glass. I had just sprayed it down. I have an infrared thermometer comming and I have several small, digital thermometer/hydrometers like the one in the picture that I can mount somewhere in the tank.
CS1976
Member
I am aware of the wet method of raising hatchlings and if I happen upon a hatchling I will use this method adding a plastic shoebox to the enclosure without heat or lights(probly add a small heat pad hooked to the heat controller to keep the water at temp).
CS1976
Member
Temperatures look good this morning and humidity is staying up
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I hate to burst your bubbles kind of because it's very obvious that you have worked hard on your enclosure...but it's not big enuf for an adult box turtle and you do know they generally don't do well in pairs...I keep Terrapine ornata ornata...they fight over food, the best sleeping spot, and sometimes just because...
here's a photo of one of my ornata...this cat is Little Sh*t, he was broken of this when he continually got into this ornate's nighttime table and got bitten by this particular turtle, and she didn't let go and the cat was hurt...he has never gotten in there again...during the day all my box turtles are together in a big outside pond area...at night they sleep in tort tables ...
here she is again and she's the one to bite the cat...People think cats bother turtles, but this one sure hurt the cat
Your enclosure is nice tho...but you don't want to add too many turtles
here's a photo of one of my ornata...this cat is Little Sh*t, he was broken of this when he continually got into this ornate's nighttime table and got bitten by this particular turtle, and she didn't let go and the cat was hurt...he has never gotten in there again...during the day all my box turtles are together in a big outside pond area...at night they sleep in tort tables ...
here she is again and she's the one to bite the cat...People think cats bother turtles, but this one sure hurt the catYour enclosure is nice tho...but you don't want to add too many turtles
CS1976
Member
I would like to have more than one(I know 2 is a no no) but I agree, this space is too small for anything more than one very young boxie. I came to that realization as I was setting it up. I plan to build a diy closed chamber within the first year to give more space for a growing youngin(probly 30x50”) but still would be only big enough for one. I live in the perfect three toed habitat and have lots of space so I plan to keep the adult(s) outdoors. I’m thinking that I start with one, and once it can move outdoors, I can look for another young one for indoors. Maybe have a whole outdoor herd some day
. I’m thinking night boxes of some sort for the adults at night once they are outside. Thanks for looking, and thank you for the advice
. I’m thinking night boxes of some sort for the adults at night once they are outside. Thanks for looking, and thank you for the advice
There is nothing wrong with having 2 or 3 or more...right now I have the least I have ever had and that's only 6...Box turtles are like Lay's potato chips...you can't ever have just one...I also have two 3-toed, they are much easier that the ornate's...have a lot, you just have to make enuf room and pretty much separate. But 3 toed have a better temperament, 2 females would be ok together in a bigger enclosureI would like to have more than one(I know 2 is a no no) but I agree, this space is too small for anything more than one very young boxie. I came to that realization as I was setting it up. I plan to build a diy closed chamber within the first year to give more space for a growing youngin(probly 30x50”) but still would be only big enough for one. I live in the perfect three toed habitat and have lots of space so I plan to keep the adult(s) outdoors. I’m thinking that I start with one, and once it can move outdoors, I can look for another young one for indoors. Maybe have a whole outdoor herd some day
CS1976
Member
Yep, I will start small with one baby/juvenile and I will build from there. I enjoy building the enclosures and I have space so there is a good chance that a vast outdoor enclosure(s) will be in my future. It will all start with one though so now I just need to find it! Seems that affordable CB Three toeds are not the easiest thing to find
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. It will all start with one though so now I just need to find it! Seems that affordable CB Three toeds are not the easiest thing to find.CS1976
Member
My temps have been running pretty consistant and humidity has been holding. I have enquired about 3 toed availability from Southern Reptiles. I see threads on here that highly reccomend them. I was hoping to find something a little more affordable but anything cheaper seems like a scam so if they have some, I may just have to do it.
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I have a couple surprise babies that are very special to me, I will not be able to keep the male. The idea of him eventually living outdoors in Missouri greatly appeals to me. His family is from Louisiana. Note, I did not take any of his family members from the wild. Unfortunately I am living in Washington State now, where he was born, in a greenhouse I have modified to be a mini- Louisiana. If anyone has thoughts on very safe, humane, shipping of a 3-4" 3toed boxie, I'd be willing to give him up.
Thea
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
@EppsDynasty might have some shipping tips.
Thank you, it really scares me. I have an adult male I need to get back to Louisiana too. Really gorgeous turtles.
CS1976
Member
That is probly too big for the enclosure I have set up but maybe I can start on my outdoor enclosure sooner than later, if there is a humane way to ship that far
I ship with ship your reptile regularly. It is safe and the company has clear instructions on how to ship correctly
ShipYourReptiles.com is the best, easiest and SAFEST shipping option there is. We have had 0ver 30 Torts shipped from all over the US to us in CA. We are actually working with them and a family in New Hampshire right now to ship a 100 lb. Sulcata. We trust this company more than any other and have had GREAT experiences with them.
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