Desert Ornate Box Turtle?

[Ink]

Just keep fresh fruits and veggies available for the turtle daily. I read on the forum that younger turtles eat more protein. However I don't have any idea on how old your turtle is. Maybe get him/her adjusted to the new enclosure first, then slowly cut back on the protein? I guess you haven't been able to find out who owned him.
@DoubleD1996! Should be able to help you out with the food

 

[Toolfan]

Just keep fresh fruits and veggies available for the turtle daily. I read on the forum that younger turtles eat more protein. However I don't have any idea on how old your turtle is. Maybe get him/her adjusted to the new enclosure first, then slowly cut back on the protein? I guess you haven't been able to find out who owned him.
@DoubleD1996! Should be able to help you out with the food

He’s definitely fairly old, I’m guessing around 20, but ya maybe he’s not totally settled, he did go through an ordeal. I haven’t seen anything on the neighborhood app about anyone looking for him.

 

[Toolfan]

Update- he’s now eating veggies and any bugs I give him and is do very well

 

[Ink]

Update- he’s now eating veggies and any bugs I give him and is do very well

Great news! Do you have a name yet for the turtle

 

[Toolfan]

Great news! Do you have a name yet for the turtle

Thanks! I named him Friend, it’s the name my grandfather gave a desert tortoise he had for 50 years that he found at about 2 inches in the alley behind his deli.

 

[allyouneedisturtlelove]

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.

I’ve had two box turtles, ornate and Chinese over the decades and they tend to have sweet toothes. Mango, pear, and raspberries are favorites. Get some healthy greens, crush them up well, dress them with the fruit, and add the vitamin and calcium supplements as recommended. Use a very small bowel made of rock from the pet store so the beak gets worked at when they eat. They also tend to naw at the rock to help with that.

 

[Toolfan]

I’ve had two box turtles, ornate and Chinese over the decades and they tend to have sweet toothes. Mango, pear, and raspberries are favorites. Get some healthy greens, crush them up well, dress them with the fruit, and add the vitamin and calcium supplements as recommended. Use a very small bowel made of rock from the pet store so the beak gets worked at when they eat. They also tend to naw at the rock to help with that.

That’s a good idea, I’ve been serving it like a salad, I’ll try crushing it up, maybe with some bugs mixed in too. Thanks!