Desert Ornate Box Turtle?

[Toolfan]

Hi, I’m new here and I’m not very experienced with turtles or tortoises although I grew up with a CA desert tortoise in the 80s. I have been keeping fish and reptiles since the mid 80s though.
So to my question, I found what i believe is an ornate desert box turtle last week in the middle of a busy road. I thought it was wild at first since it was headed away from a field that is being prepped for construction. I brought him, yes he’s a male, home until I could figure out what to do with him. His behavior has shown that he is not wild and is most likely an escaped pet and he has some pyramiding that also leads me to think he’s a pet. I’m not going to post anything about him, but we are watching the neighborhood app to see if anyone lost him. If not I’ll keep him. It’s too late in the year hibernate him I believe so I’m keeping him indoors in a 36”x18” through the winter and will build him an outdoor pen In the spring if nobody claims him. The only issue I’ve seen ( other than mild pyramiding) is he’s only eating meal worms, I’ve tried dandelion, collard greens, various fruits, can o snails, night crawlers, kale and broccoli. I read they like crickets and dubias, but can they catch them? Any input is appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[TammyJ]

He's quite lovely .
Sure knows how to bask.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Can you post close up photos of the beak? It is possibly slightly overgrown.

I am sure a box turtle expert will comment here soon.

 

[Toolfan]

Can you post close up photos of the beak? It is possibly slightly overgrown.

I am sure a box turtle expert will comment here soon.

I’ll get that posted when I get home, thanks!

 

[Toolfan]

Can you post close up photos of the beak? It is possibly slightly overgrown.

I am sure a box turtle expert will comment here soon.

I’ll get that posted when I get home, thanks

Can you post close up photos of the beak? It is possibly slightly overgrown.

I am sure a box turtle expert will comment here soon.

here’s a YouTube video I made of him eating. Maybe this will help in the meantime until I get home.

 

[Ink]

I too, have a desert box turtle. His name is Paxton. I feed him giant mealworms and I put a few earthworms in with them to get him something different. I also feed him minnows, blueberries, dragon fruit, lettuce, and he likes honey dew too. He is picky. Hard boiled eggs are good ( I leave the shell on for calcium).

 

[Toolfan]

I too, have a desert box turtle. His name is Paxton. I feed him giant mealworms and I put a few earthworms in with them to get him something different. I also feed him minnows, blueberries, dragon fruit, lettuce, and he likes honey dew too. He is picky. Hard boiled eggs are good ( I leave the shell on for calcium).

Awesome, thank you! So do you think I should feed him the other foods and leave the mealworms out until he gets hungry enough to try other foods?

 

[Ink]

I do mealworms and worms every 3 days or so. I always have fresh lettuce (not romaine) to feed him daily.now he eats greens and fruits on his non protein day. Also fresh water daily.

 

[Ink]

Also put a cuttle bone in there for calcium. I don't leave the worms in overnight. He needs a variety of foods.

 

[Toolfan]

I do mealworms and worms every 3 days or so. I always have fresh lettuce (not romaine) to feed him daily.now he eats greens and fruits on his non protein day. Also fresh water daily.

Thanks! I’ll try that. Your little guy looks great BTW

 

[Ink]

Thanks! I’ll try that. Your little guy looks great BTW

Thank you, so does the one you have.

 

[Toolfan]

Also put a cuttle bone in there for calcium. I don't leave the worms in overnight. He needs a variety of foods.

I’ll grab one today, I was just thinking how I would keep his beak from overgrowing

 

[Ink]

It really doesn't look bad to me. Make sure you have the correct lights too.

 

[Toolfan]

It really doesn't look bad to me. Make sure you have the correct lights too.

His cage is about 12 inches tall and I’m running a 10.0 UVB and a 50W basking bulb over a brick which is hitting about 90° with an ambient temperature of about 80. The room he’s in is also my Fish room so the humidity tends to stay about 55 to 60. Does all that sound good?

 

[Ink]

Search the forum for box turtle care sheet. It's very helpful. You can always add water to the corners of the enclosure to bump up the humidity. I do that everyday or two. I also have to water the plants. How big is your turtle?

 

[Toolfan]

Search the forum for box turtle care sheet. It's very helpful. You can always add water to the corners of the enclosure to bump up the humidity. I do that everyday or two. I also have to water the plants. How big is your turtle?

Ok cool I’ll check that out. His shell is roughly 6.5” tip to tip. I counted the rings and he’s about 20yo if that really works.

 

[Ink]

Is the measurements from the bottom of the turtle? I don't know anything about ring counting.

 

[Toolfan]

Is the measurements from the bottom of the turtle? I don't know anything about ring counting.

I just measured and the top shell is 6”

 

[Toolfan]

I’ll get that posted when I get home, thanks!

Here’s the head/beak

 

[Toolfan]

Is the measurements from the bottom of the turtle? I don't know anything about ring counting.

Well now I’ve got him eating all types of bugs and he’s recognizing me as a food bringer, but he’s still refusing fruits and veggies. I’m thinking I might let him get hungry for a couple weeks without bugs, if not lll give him some bugs for a week and let him go 3 with out bugs.