Hello from SC-total newb

[bookish19]

Hi all! Aside from 30yrs ago when my family rehabbed an injured Gopher tort in FL, I don’t have tort experience. We’re dog & horse people, even though I adore turtles & torts.
Anywho-found a baby box turtle in our garage this afternoon. Little dude seemed a bit listless and dry, so we fixed up a bin w/topsoil, Moss, Tupperware lid for holding water, upside down plant cup cut to make a temporary hide, and young pill bugs & young earthworms. Our yard is pesticide free, & we live in the country on a hill, so no road runoff, in South Carolina. Anything else I should do, right away? I just want to make sure this little one has a chance before we release him, or bring him to a wildlife rescue if not doing well. Eyes now seem bright & clear, legs are strong (unlike earlier). First pic was when we found him. In the bin pics, he seems to be doing better, exploring & such. Any advice is welcome, but please be kind Thank you in advance!

 

[Yvonne G]

You've made a nice little enclosure for him. Keep it moist and cover the top to keep in the humidity. Soak him in a bowl of shallow water for about 15 minutes daily.

 

[bookish19]

You've made a nice little enclosure for him. Keep it moist and cover the top to keep in the humidity. Soak him in a bowl of shallow water for about 15 minutes daily.

Got t! Will do, and thank you so much!

 

[Maro2Bear]

A nice warm water soak I’m sure will be appreciated. Everything else looks good...

 

[bookish19]

A nice warm water soak I’m sure will be appreciated. Everything else looks good...

Bath water warm, or not that hot? Thank you!

 

[Lyn W]

Well done for helping the little guy.
This may help you..........
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/box-turtle-care-sheet.93937/
There are box turtle threads in the Species section of TFO.
Good luck to you and him!

 

[Maro2Bear]

Bath water warm, or not that hot? Thank you!

Yes...baby bath warm. Not cold, not hot. Warm.....

 

[bookish19]

Well done for helping the little guy.
This may help you..........
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/box-turtle-care-sheet.93937/
There are box turtle threads in the Species section of TFO.
Good luck to you and him!

Thank you for the care sheet link!

 

[bookish19]

Yes...baby bath warm. Not cold, not hot. Warm.....

Got it! Thanks again!

 

[Lyn W]

Got it! Thanks again!

.......and shallowish.....

 

[bookish19]

Right-He should be able to keep his head out of the water-so maybe mid-shell height, or a little more shallow than that? I read that the water dish should barely reach the bottom of the shell...not sure about soaking, but I’ll keep reading!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Hello.
I grew up in York county.
Rock Hill.
They make great pets. But it's a native turtle and would be best left alone outdoors.
I used to find them in the woods pretty often. Usually near a creek.
Google and check to make sure that you aren't breaking any local or state laws regarding keeping local, native species.
Best of luck to you both.

 

[bookish19]

Hello.
I grew up in York county.
Rock Hill.
They make great pets. But it's a native turtle and would be best left alone outdoors.
I used to find them in the woods pretty often. Usually near a creek.
Google and check to make sure that you aren't breaking any local or state laws regarding keeping local, native species.
Best of luck to you both.

Thank you! First thing I did after scanning the forum was checking the local laws. It’s legal to keep them, even from the wild, but this little one will be released as long as he’s doing well in a few days. I was mainly concerned bc he seemed both lethargic & dehydrated, and there’s no telling how long he’d been in the garage. Fingers crossed he’ll continue to perk up!

 

[bookish19]

Thank you! First thing I did after scanning the forum was checking the local laws. It’s legal to keep them, even from the wild, but this little one will be released as long as he’s doing well in a few days. I was mainly concerned bc he seemed both lethargic & dehydrated, and there’s no telling how long he’d been in the garage. Fingers crossed he’ll continue to perk up!

Oh-and we are in the woods, near a creek, so we do see them often. Just hadn’t had one trapped in the garage before.

 

[Lyn W]

Right-He should be able to keep his head out of the water-so maybe mid-shell height, or a little more shallow than that? I read that the water dish should barely reach the bottom of the shell...not sure about soaking, but I’ll keep reading!

I'm not sure but I read they aren't like other turtles and only like shallow pools.
The caresheet may help. I would go with the same level as advised for the the water dish to be on the safe side.
They can drown so keep an eye on him while soaking.

 

[bookish19]

I'm not sure but I read they aren't like other turtles and only like shallow pools.
The caresheet may help. I would go with the same level as advised for the the water dish to be on the safe side.
They can drown so keep an eye on him while soaking.

Thank you for the clarification!

Also, thanks so much to all of you for your kind & prompt replies.
Little one seems to be doing well-humid & warm (not hot) in the bin. Will do a warm water soak in the am, and reassess early afternoon.