Alaskamike
Well-Known Member
Okay.... so,
The daughter of my GF, Nichole, started her youngster in preschool the other day, and in the classroom a teacher had these 2 turtles in a plastic container (about 12" X 16") of sand with a small water bowl. She took pictures because the teacher was not sure what they were (Plus she was worried about them), and messaged me with them.
They were Florida Box Turtles. I'll post a pic soon.
So I sent her yesterday with care info , a link to the forum, and some ideas (especially the main idea that they will eventually die in that box and in a busy classroom without a proper habitat) and with Nichole's prompting the teacher asked - not if I could take them, but would I foster them for a time. So, sucker that I am for turtles, I said sure.
Yesterday she brought them to me in the container and I got the rest of the story.
Seems the teacher had raised these two in a sandbox in her yard for several years (I hope planted, hides, etc, but don't know), found them as babies in her garden. She did not know much about them, just thought they were cute and needed a home. She fed them greens from the store and veggies. She seemed very attached to them. Recently they sold their home and are in the process of building a new house, living with relatives till its finished. They have no place for the turtles, except the little box.
Estimated it would be a couple months, maybe by end of summer.
So, here I am, sucker that I am, with two boxies. I made them a separate enclosure with hides, a terra cotta water dish they can climb in and out of, lots of cover and fully green. I put down a paving tile to offer additional food on. They will have zero contact with my others. They seem to be very healthy and active. But I haven't had a box turtle to care for since I was a kid.
I'm getting them worms soon as I find a source., and suppose they can eat the same variety of natural greens I grow for my leopard, sully, and Aldabra , maybe plus some veggies.
Couple of questions-
Can they eat a bit of boiled egg if I haven't got worms available? Or a piece of cooked chicken?
Are some veggies much better than others? Any suggestions?
How likely is it that they will dig out of an enclosure (Its 3' X 20'), do i need to put down a dig barrier? I've got barrier on the 20' sides already , one side is against my lanai wall & foundation, the other the outside wall of my other surround already buried down 12". So it would just be the 2 - 3 ft ends.
These two have always been together since the teacher found them. I have not separated them, but I could. What is the likelihood of bullying with Boxy's? . One is noticeably larger than the other, and I am not sure of their age, but they are at least 3 yo. I haven't tried to sex them yet. If they are male/ female at what size could they breed? I'll weigh them soon too, to make sure they keep healthy and grow a bit.
Thanks in advance.
Box turtles were not on my agenda, but.....
The daughter of my GF, Nichole, started her youngster in preschool the other day, and in the classroom a teacher had these 2 turtles in a plastic container (about 12" X 16") of sand with a small water bowl. She took pictures because the teacher was not sure what they were (Plus she was worried about them), and messaged me with them.
They were Florida Box Turtles. I'll post a pic soon.
So I sent her yesterday with care info , a link to the forum, and some ideas (especially the main idea that they will eventually die in that box and in a busy classroom without a proper habitat) and with Nichole's prompting the teacher asked - not if I could take them, but would I foster them for a time. So, sucker that I am for turtles, I said sure.
Yesterday she brought them to me in the container and I got the rest of the story.
Seems the teacher had raised these two in a sandbox in her yard for several years (I hope planted, hides, etc, but don't know), found them as babies in her garden. She did not know much about them, just thought they were cute and needed a home. She fed them greens from the store and veggies. She seemed very attached to them. Recently they sold their home and are in the process of building a new house, living with relatives till its finished. They have no place for the turtles, except the little box.
Estimated it would be a couple months, maybe by end of summer.
So, here I am, sucker that I am, with two boxies. I made them a separate enclosure with hides, a terra cotta water dish they can climb in and out of, lots of cover and fully green. I put down a paving tile to offer additional food on. They will have zero contact with my others. They seem to be very healthy and active. But I haven't had a box turtle to care for since I was a kid.
I'm getting them worms soon as I find a source., and suppose they can eat the same variety of natural greens I grow for my leopard, sully, and Aldabra , maybe plus some veggies.
Couple of questions-
Can they eat a bit of boiled egg if I haven't got worms available? Or a piece of cooked chicken?
Are some veggies much better than others? Any suggestions?
How likely is it that they will dig out of an enclosure (Its 3' X 20'), do i need to put down a dig barrier? I've got barrier on the 20' sides already , one side is against my lanai wall & foundation, the other the outside wall of my other surround already buried down 12". So it would just be the 2 - 3 ft ends.
These two have always been together since the teacher found them. I have not separated them, but I could. What is the likelihood of bullying with Boxy's? . One is noticeably larger than the other, and I am not sure of their age, but they are at least 3 yo. I haven't tried to sex them yet. If they are male/ female at what size could they breed? I'll weigh them soon too, to make sure they keep healthy and grow a bit.
Thanks in advance.
Box turtles were not on my agenda, but.....