Linda, this turtle should not be hibernated and it CAN be duped into thinking it is summer by giving it summer-like temps, humidity and amount of "day light" hours. Night time temps should be maintained at around 70 degrees-not lower. Daytime temps-up to 80 with a warmer spot around 85. Humidity should be high-as I said before from your pictures-his tank may be too dry. The number of hours the lights are kept on should be 14 hours. These conditions reflect the height of summer when turtles are active and eating.

Try feeding the turtle every day -have you tried waxworms? Have you tried live bloodworms? For now-to get nutrition in him-soak him in a mixture of Ensure and Pedilyte, or Ensure and apple juice.

Don't give up because a month is not so long in the life of a box turtle Don't put him in hibernation because you said you think he might be getting a respiratory infection. Plus you think he didn't get good care with the breeder-so it is especially important that you keep him up and eating this winter.

The forum is here to help and to share in your worry over this turtle...I for one have heard this very same problem come up with other turtle owners many times. Hibernation is rarely the answer in the case of a very young turtle of which you know little of its past history. Just hang in there, make the changes that are necessary, and do the things that gives the turtle the best chance to survive. If it doesn't survive, at least you can say that you gave it your best effort and didn't give up on it.

Please make these changes if they are not in place already, and keep us posted, even if it is just to share with you your concerns.
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Tess Cook
www.boxturtlesite.info

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