The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Good to hear he is still eating! I hope he starts gaining weight soon
Hatchling Box Turtle Not Walking
- Thread starter TNBoxie
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2012
- Messages
- 884
Just a comment:
After having seen multiple methods I am a believer in starting box turtles in tubs with very shallow water. Water depth is maybe 1/4” for a hatchling, so they can still breathe with their head tucked in. This is so they won’t drown if they flip over. If desired, a clump of sphagnum moss will give them a substrate to bury into, or you can use a small hide. I would also make sure the enclosure is in a warm room (75F ish). This “wet” method is appropriate for both Terrapene and Cuora hatchlings and can be used for the first 1-2 years depending on size and species.
If your hatchling is doing well I wouldn’t necessarily disrupt what you are doing, and by no means is your stated set up “wrong”. But, the natural behavior of box turtles (including foraging behavior) is very strongly driven by rain and water. They are also prone to shell deformity if raised too dry (and if fed the wrong diet, depending on who you ask…)
After having seen multiple methods I am a believer in starting box turtles in tubs with very shallow water. Water depth is maybe 1/4” for a hatchling, so they can still breathe with their head tucked in. This is so they won’t drown if they flip over. If desired, a clump of sphagnum moss will give them a substrate to bury into, or you can use a small hide. I would also make sure the enclosure is in a warm room (75F ish). This “wet” method is appropriate for both Terrapene and Cuora hatchlings and can be used for the first 1-2 years depending on size and species.
If your hatchling is doing well I wouldn’t necessarily disrupt what you are doing, and by no means is your stated set up “wrong”. But, the natural behavior of box turtles (including foraging behavior) is very strongly driven by rain and water. They are also prone to shell deformity if raised too dry (and if fed the wrong diet, depending on who you ask…)
Thank you for this! I think I'll continue raising Tiny Tim with this water method. In fact, I'll probably use it for any future hatchlings. I wish I had known better with my first hatchling. I'm going to make adjustments to add more water to his habitat, but I won't convert him completely over to water since it may unsettle him more than anything.
Our sweet Tiny Tim passed away on Thanksgiving. 
I'm chalking it up to a birth defect that he just couldn't overcome. It didn't seem like he could ever retract fully into his shell or walk correctly, even with hydrotherapy. He had some good time out in the sun, swimming, even having the energy to "hunt" some food in his little enclosure. Thank you all for all the tips! I think they helped keep him comfortable.
I'm chalking it up to a birth defect that he just couldn't overcome. It didn't seem like he could ever retract fully into his shell or walk correctly, even with hydrotherapy. He had some good time out in the sun, swimming, even having the energy to "hunt" some food in his little enclosure. Thank you all for all the tips! I think they helped keep him comfortable.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
I am so sorry for your loss! 
