What do I need to know to keep an Eastern box turtle?

Question

My mother got a tiny little Eastern box turtle out of the road this morning and gave it to my kids. It has to be practically newborn, here is a picture of him as compared to the cap from a water bottle- http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/Oliviamonteith/?action=view&current=100_1781.jpg

I'm trying to find out what it will need to eat, how large it's enclosure needs to be, ect. or if it has a good chance of surviving as a pet. If it doesn't have a good chance, where is the best place to take it to let it go? I don't want it to end up in the road again, a lot of people won't stop to move it like my mom.

Answer 1

First off, Box Turtles can make excellent pets. If you care for them properly, they can live a very long time too. They aren't very hard to care for, but they do have needs. They are one of the easier turtles. I've never heard of an Eastern Box Turtle, but I do know the basics about Painted Box Turtles. Remember that this will be a long term commitment. You need to be able to house the animal in a properly sized enclosure and be able to provide electric heat. Also, this is not a pet that can be cuddled, or likes to be touched very much. They need daily care. Never leave the care of a pet up to children. A mature person needs to be the primary care giver. Boxer Turtles grow to about 8 inches long. They can live 30-40 years with proper care. 50% of their diet should be protein. Commercial turtle food that has been soaked in warm water is a good choice. Also give them earthworms and crickets. As treats you can give them lean cooked chicken and mealworms. 30% of their diet should be vegetables. The best vegetables to feed are dark, green, and leafy vegetables. Dandelions, squash, tomatoes, carrots, and okra are good too. Never give broccoli, kale, or cauliflower though, as these are poisonous to box turtles. The other 20% of their diet should be fruit. Melons, peaches, mangoes, papaya, apples, grapes, blueberries, and raspberries are really good. Feed young turtles (under 8 inches) daily. Feed adults (8 inches) every other day. Make sure all dishes are flat, like plastic lids. For young turtles, get a calcium supplement formulated for reptiles and dust the food with it. This should be done every day for turtles under 8 inches. For adults (8 inches) dust the food with the calcium supplement only twice a week. It is best to feed box turtles in the late morning. Mist the turtle and it's habitat before feeding. This will stimulate their appetite. Never handle the turtle before feeding. After an hour, remove all the food. It is best to house adults in open pens with a screened lid. Their enclosure should be at least 3' x 4' x 12". This allows them to continue normal behavior patterns and exercise. Never keep box turtles in aquariums. The temperature becomes gradient and there is little air circulation. Also, there isn't enough room for exercise. Use a moist, and chemical free, potting mix as substrate. Or use finely shredded hardwood mulch. You can mix moist sphagnum moss into either. Provide water for swimming with a shallow area for the turtle to rest in with their head sticking out. They need a dry area for basking too. Make a slope into the water so they can get in and out easily. Create hiding areas in both the wet and dry parts of the enclosure. Use a mister to keep the habitat humid. The cool end of the habitat should be 75 and the warm end should be 95. They need a basking light on the warm end of their habitat. If the pen is kept indoors, make sure to keep it elevated and away from doors or windows. Otherwise, the draft can make them sick.

Answer 2

They are easy pets, but do require some very specific details.. check out

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/BoxTu...

Or you can seach Yahoo! groups for "turtles" and you will find a number of groups that are all about the care of box turtles.

When I began my Turtle Topia (a fabulous outdoor habitiat/reserve), the wonderful & very educated people there helped me so incredibly much.

Right now I am awaiting my 1st round of baby Boxies to hatch!

I also take in rescues & other turtles.

Its sad because Box turtles are slowly becoming endangered, due to all the new developments in the "country land".

Email me if you are looking for a new home for him :-) I would pay the shipping! (DHL does tons of "live" shipments, next day, very safe & secure)

Answer 3

google.com does the trick.

Answer 4

go to google.com it will tell u.

Answer 5

Because they make such good pets, the populations of box turtles are going down. The best place to release it would be next to the road but on the side it was heading toward and facing away from the road.

If you are going to keep it, earthworms and soft-bodied insects are good food. So is liver, cut in strips and dusted with bonemeal. Box turtles are more likely to eat vegetables than other turtle hatchlings. Try it on dark green leafy vegetables or bits of sweet potato. Go easy on spinach, though.

Chances of survival are not great for baby turtles either in the wild or in captivity. Good luck.