Is there turtle discussions?
- Thread starter levi
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Nope you can talk turtle, we even have a special area for turtle talking. 
We talking about all types of things including turtles... Welcome to the forum...
We love the turtles tooooooo
Well... Ascott and others may love them some turtles, but I prefer to stick to the dry guys. The 'damp dudes (boxies, wood, etc.) are OK in a pinch!
(Sitting back for the inevitable backlash!)
(Sitting back for the inevitable backlash!
)
Ah Mark, you know that box turtles have the same care as Cherry Heads.
Welcome to the forum Levi, and what kind of turtles do you have?
Welcome to the forum Levi, and what kind of turtles do you have?
Hello and Welcome We love turtles! And if you have one we love pictures of them too if you would like to share!
We love turtles! And if you have one we love pictures of them too if you would like to share!terryo said:
Same care, nice colors, and so on, but I've had both and prefer the dry guys! I guess SOMEONE has to deal with the wet and damp species, though.
Madkins007 said:terryo said:
Same care, nice colors, and so on, but I've had both and prefer the dry guys! I guess SOMEONE has to deal with the wet and damp species, though.
Yeah, box turtles are not all that different from redfoot, yellowfoot, and hingeback tortoises (and Manouria, too?). All of them not only need moist habitats, but are also omnivorous, although boxies probably eat a bit more meat than they do. Plus, although Gulf Coast box turtles are on the "wet" end of the spectrum and are swimmers, western box turtles are on the other end of the spectrum and live in dry habitats the way tortoises do, although again, they are more carnivorous. All in all, although box turtles are in a different family, I think their care is quite tortoise-like ... which is why the uninitiated often make the mistake of thinking they're tortoises.
Personally, I've kept several three-toed box turtles, a redfoot tortoise, and now two Russian tortoises (not to mention Greek tortoises as a small child). I thought they were all fascinating for different reasons. I think the predatory behavior of boxies to be just as interesting as the browsing and grazing of tortoises. However, since tortoises browse and graze a lot more often than boxies hunt, I find that tortoises are active more consistently, while box turtles offer a more dramatic "show," but only sporadically. For that reason, I find tortoises to be more engaging.
Also, as a kid I used to love feeding live prey to my boxies. But now as a grown up, I like the convenience of giving my tortoises some greens, or just putting them outside and watching them go! So for me, it's not so much the moisture levels, as it is the diet that makes tortoises easier to care for.
This definitely belongs in the debatable section. So, sorry for going OT again, but....My box turtles live in a large turtle garden with a small pond. I can go away for a week if I want to and they will forge for themselves as there is plenty of vegetation and animal protein for them to eat without me feeding them. But, I can't leave my Cherry Heads for a week. To me, the box turtles are much easier to take care of. As long as they have a small pond to swim and soak, they can handle the elements, but the Cherries need that warm humidity and I have to spray their enclosure often.
Hey Levi...how's this turtle discussion?
Hey Levi...how's this turtle discussion?
Although I love my Sulcata's, my hatchling box turtles have captured my imagination. They are fearless and when picked up they will just stare at you with those round eyes. I also enjoy how they will run towards anything moving to check it out to see if it is a potential food item...
terryo said:This definitely belongs in the debatable section. So, sorry for going OT again, but....My box turtles live in a large turtle garden with a small pond. I can go away for a week if I want to and they will forge for themselves as there is plenty of vegetation and animal protein for them to eat without me feeding them. But, I can't leave my Cherry Heads for a week. To me, the box turtles are much easier to take care of. As long as they have a small pond to swim and soak, they can handle the elements, but the Cherries need that warm humidity and I have to spray their enclosure often.
Hey Levi...how's this turtle discussion?
That makes sense. I guess I'm just going off keeping them indoors. You are right, though. I remember growing up, my three-toed box turtles could just stay out all the time during the summers, and needed very little care. I expect it will be much the same for my Russians once we get a backyard. So, again, I think ease of care probably has more to do with being in the right climate than anything else.
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