Overhrown beak.

[Thalatte]

I hadn't seen my male ornate boxie in awhile so I dug him up to put him outside and noticed his beak is overgrown. I think it's why I haven't seen him eat. What can I do to fix it? Or should I just take him to a vet and have them trim it?

Also my female wood turtle looks like she might be getting a tad overgrown, nothing bad but how do I prevent it from getting worse? Is there something hat would prevent my hatchlings from becoming overgrown?

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Forgot pictures. I just have the ones of beaker.

 

[biochemnerd808]

I am not experienced with turtles, only with tortoises... BUT I know that you can file an overgrown beak a bit at a time with an emery board. I posted a little video with instructions on my tortoise blog (link in my signature), and also instructions on trimming (although you may want to have a professional do that for you, depending on your level of experience).

To prevent beaks from becoming overgrown, I would recommend feeding on a slate or flat rock, so they grind down their beaks a little when they get food. Also don't cut up the food - make them work a bit.

I hadn't seen my male ornate boxie in awhile so I dug him up to put him outside and noticed his beak is overgrown. I think it's why I haven't seen him eat. What can I do to fix it? Or should I just take him to a vet and have them trim it?

Also my female wood turtle looks like she might be getting a tad overgrown, nothing bad but how do I prevent it from getting worse? Is there something hat would prevent my hatchlings from becoming overgrown?

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Forgot pictures. I just have the ones of beaker.

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[wellington]

You can try filing, but there is a quick in there, like in a dogs toe nail. You don't want to file it down too far. If not comfortable with it, take them and have a vet do it. If you feed them on a piece of slate or flat rock, the hard ruff surface will help keep the beak filed down naturally.

 

[Thalatte]

How do I feed insects on a flat rock? Generally I pt all the bugs in a smooth ceramic dish so that they don't escape and then the fruit and veggies are placed next to it on a concrete flagstone...
I think I will just have a vet do it as he isn't very friendly. I wouldn't be very comfortable poking a file at his face while he tries to bite me. So besides feeding on a rock is there anything I can give him to eat that would help? Like snails or hard veggies?

 

[biochemnerd808]

Haha, since I have tortoises (not turtles, I have to admit that I TOTALLY forgot about the bug factor! Now I feel silly.

Yeah, it's probably best if you take him to the vet. You may also check if there is a local turtle club or reptile rescue that trims beaks for free or for a small donation. Here in our area we have a wonderful reptile rescue, and the founder is always happy to help.

How do I feed insects on a flat rock? Generally I pt all the bugs in a smooth ceramic dish so that they don't escape and then the fruit and veggies are placed next to it on a concrete flagstone...
I think I will just have a vet do it as he isn't very friendly. I wouldn't be very comfortable poking a file at his face while he tries to bite me. So besides feeding on a rock is there anything I can give him to eat that would help? Like snails or hard veggies?

 

[Thalatte]

Only local rescues we have are the humane society and a "reptile" rescue that only takes geckos...which defeats the purpose for me. Either way he has never actually been to the vets and I need to take Bane in for a follow up.

I thought with all the beetles, superworms, and mealworms that the shells from them would be enough to keep the beak in check but now I will have to rethink the setups.
It's weird because my wood turtle has a little overgrowth and in the 6yrs I have had her this has never been an issue. Nor have I had it on any other torts or turtles.