Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sorry this is long but I want you to have all the info to get the best advice, Thanks!!!!!!!

I have 4 baby box turtles hatchlings. Two of them hatched last Friday,the other two have pipped but are still in the incubator. The first two I put in a container of wet paper towels in side my incubator until there yoak sacs absorbed. They are now in a 10 gallon aquariaum. They have a zoo med basking light(clamp light)20 watt UVB and UVA rays,substrate is top soil/spagnum peat moss mix, moist. They have a water dish that they can walk into and out ofwith very little water, they have a log for a hide box. a zoo med heating pad that sticks under the tank. The temp of the soil is around 90 degrees towards the bottom of soil (about 4" of soil). The humidty is at 75 to 80 degrees. I have the top of the tank covered with press and seal (like a plastic wrap you would use to seal food) to help keep the humidty in except around the light that is a clamp light. There are a few real plants. I lightly mist the tank twice a day. Have guages to read temp and humidity.

Q.
My question with out the plastic wrap the humidity doesn't stay around 75 to 80 degress and my access to the turtles is not very convenient. I understand 80/82 degress is ideal. Also what about the temp of the soil is it to high?

The light is over the soil with the heater. The heater does not put out a lot of heat,only 20watts but the box said 20 watts= to 75 watts The hide box is over the soil with out the heater. FYI
So what do you all think, can I make their habitat better for them in any way and more accessable for me.
Thank you very much if you have the time to respond!
Mary-Kate

Congratulations on getting your boxies to lay and hatch. All your incubation procedures paid off!

Is your Zoo med light an incandescent light bulb? If so the amount of UVB rays would be extremely low for a boxie. The UVA would be OK; but UVA is not as critical as UVB for shell development. Check the link below for info from a previous post on UVB lighting.

Is the temp at the bottom of the soil with the light on or off? Also what is the surface temp?

Regarding your under tank heater; 20 watts may seem low comparatively but that is a constant heat; not a thermostat controlled heat. For you size tank (10 gallon) 20 watts is too much. That temp could climb to well over 100+ degrees if your substrate gets a bit dryer or your light is left on longer. Eight watts of heat would be more than sufficient for night time drops and ventral heat source. If the boxies want to get closer to the heat at night they will burrow towards it; but they can't get away from 90+ heat with a basking light on the other side during the daytime.

75 watts ?? Not sure what is indicated here.

Consider a piece of plexi glass; cut to fit 3/4 of the 10 gallon tank. Let it overlap by 1/8 inch. You can get it at most hardware stores ( give them the dimensions), they will even cut it if you desire. Then you just can just lay it over the top; however I believe you need to address your lighting and heating situation first.

Ric K.

Link

just wanted to add, box turtles usually dig down to escape heat(or hide) I would remove the UTH and just use an over head heat source.
and yes I know hatchling box turtles spend 90% of their time burrowed.