Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was wondering if its only possible for box turtles to have fertile eggs if they go through the hibernation process ? i live in hawaii and we dont have cold winters here ... it pretty much gets into the high 60s and i was going to get a male and female three toed box turtle to join my female three toed to try and start a lil colony ... but im not sure it gets cold enough ... or maybe anyone know how to make a enviroment for them to hibernate ? ... anyone got any advice ? thanks

Um, there are turtles in Hawaii that thrive in the wild. They do it without hibernating.

Box turtles are not native to Hawaii.
According to different sources, fertility rates are higher in box turtles that have hibernated/brumated.
Are you sure you want your turtles to breed, though? Can you sell the hatchlings legally? You certainly won't be able to release them...

They are now.

If they did not have box turtles living wild on the island, they would not be permitted to own/import them.

When I moved to Hawaii back in the 80's I had my land hermit crabs confiscated at the airport because there were no land hermit crabs on the islands and they didn't want them introduced.

They are in the wild and they are breeding in Hawaii.

I really wouldn't know if there are or aren't wild box turtles on the Hawaiian islands: I was merely pointing out that they were not native. There's a difference between 'wild' and 'native.

Can we settle on "introduced"?

Not interested in researching it at this point in time.

I had a box turtle while living there but for the life of me don't remember how that came about. Actually I think it wandered into my yard and just hung around for awhile.

Introduced would be an appropriate term. Have a good one!

without brumation in my experience a turtles sex drive goes out of whack, took 3 brumation seasons before one female that I've had for nearly 8 or 9 yrs to realize she was the one that was supposed to be mounted, the first season of brumation she was trying to mount my other female, and would not allow a male to mount her.
you can mimic brumation with a dorm fridge.
-----
My Site
1.2.1 Terrapene Carolina Triunguis
0.1 Nymphicus hollandicus
1.1 Melopsittacus undulatus
1.0 American Cocker Spaniels
1.0 American Short Hair? Cat
1.1 Rouen Ducks

Possible.....Definitely

The one subspecies of Box Turtle that will produce viable eggs without hibernation/ brumation is the Florida Box Turtle, T.carolina bauri. It's native low temperatures in South Florida reflect those of Hawaii; and they reproduce just fine.
These boxies don't have a cooling period like the other subspecies; temps in the 60's would be cool for them.

Also there are individuals in Hawaii that have Florida Box Turtles and they are reproducing just fine. Low temperatures that would be fine for Easterns and Three Toed would kill Florida Boxies.

Regards,
Ric

thanks for all the advice ... im not sure if box turtles are in the wild here because i need a permit to import them here ... an is a walk in freezer what mimics there hibernation thing?

you dont need a large fridge just something big enough to contain tupperware big enough for the boxie to fit in.

the temp thats best for brumation is about 45 degrees F, I wouldn't go any cooler than 43 or warmer than 48, when waking them up you have to warm them up slowly or they will just want to go back.
-----
My Site
1.2.1 Terrapene Carolina Triunguis
0.1 Nymphicus hollandicus
1.1 Melopsittacus undulatus
1.0 American Cocker Spaniels
1.0 American Short Hair? Cat
1.1 Rouen Ducks

thanks for all the advice ... im not sure if box turtles are in the wild here because i need a permit to import them here .

I wasn't stating they were in the wild there...just that individuals in Hawaii have Florida Box Turtles in captivity.

You do need to get an import certificate and a Vet check certificate for all Boxies coming from the mainland. Floridas are the one subspecies that will thrive in Hawaii without having to cool them for viable breeding.

Ric