Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If anyone lives in Fl I was wondering about a particular caterpillar. It is orange w/ like black spines poking off it's body...can these be poisonous to box turtles? We house 2, 2 or 3 year old box turtles outdoors. We are concerned that if these things get into their pen and they eat them it could be toxic.

In people they can cause itchy rashes if the brush up against you, so wondering what they can do to the animals?

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks

Bethany & Matt

Are these wild caught box turtles? Are they adults? Wild box turtles are very careful about what they eat. They smell first and bite later. The hairs or spines on caterpillars is a universal sign to animals and says to them, "do not eat me!" Of course don't actually feed it to your turtles. They equate you with good food. Tess

>>If anyone lives in Fl I was wondering about a particular caterpillar. It is orange w/ like black spines poking off it's body...can these be poisonous to box turtles? We house 2, 2 or 3 year old box turtles outdoors. We are concerned that if these things get into their pen and they eat them it could be toxic.
>>
>>In people they can cause itchy rashes if the brush up against you, so wondering what they can do to the animals?
>>
>>Any information would be helpful.
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Bethany & Matt