Thanks everyone. I have been in this house for the last 20 years, and only have had Possums show up, which I catch, and relocate to a river a few miles away. This guy came from somewhere this spring. At first I thought the first couple of turtles accidently flipped themselves over in the water dish, and the other turtles just munched on the head and legs. I caught on after night 3 when I went out and one of my prize Chines Box turtle female was flipped over, and missing here front feet - I was able to keep her alive, and she hobbles around the inclosure. There were gulf coast and easterns flipped over as well, but they were completely closed.

I put them away in locked houses everynight now. The food for the box turtles is usually finished by the end of the day - what is really attracting the racoon is large larva from the huge green june bugs, which live in the soil.

I have two traps like the one pictures above. I have put cat food, chicken breast, bananas and recently achovies. I had two traps in the enclosure last night with 2 achovies hanging in the back, so the racoon would not have to step on the metal plate - it came buy last night, ingoring the traps/achovies, and I could see little holes in the grass where it had been digging for larva. I have even put cardboard on the trap floor, as I thought it could feel the metal, and wouldn't go in.

I will keep trying, and am going to call animal control, as I have seen this racoon, and it is big, and could hurt a small dog, child, and obvously smaller animals.

I have an electric fence, but for some reason can't get it to work. Enclosures are not practical due to the size of my area - I will just have to continue to put away the turtles.

Stay tuned, and if you have any other tips, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Bill

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]