Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi, I have had my box turtle for seven years very healthy,but from what I have read he should be eating a varity in his diet. He refuses I have tried all types of foods they are suppose to like all he will eat is earthworms,bananas,Zoo menu box turtle food in a can,and sometimes very rarely musk melon. Will this hurt his health over the years he is fine right now.I would like to get another turtle to share his enclosure but when a friend brought her box turtle over he would not leave him alone he kept locking onto him though we are sure they are both males. So I guess what I'm wondering if I get another turtle will he put to much stress on it or will he calm down after the new wears off?I live in Ohio and never see box turtles for sale anymore so my third question is they do sell tortises here I believe they are Russian tortosies are they ok to house with a box turtle? thank you .

>...he should be eating a variety in his diet. He refuses...

Try mixing new foods with those he likes; you may need to chop up the new foods in with small amounts of those he likes.

>...earthworms---Excellent
>...bananas---Only as a *rare* treat although mashed banana may be used to get him used to new foods!
>...Zoo menu box turtle food in a can---Yuck
>...musk melon---Excellent

>Will this hurt his health over the years? YES
>...when a friend brought her box turtle over he would not leave him alone...

Hope both turtles are healthy. If not, they may have exchanged pathogens---virus or bacteria. Multi-turtle keepers quarantine animals for six months before introduction.

>...if I get another turtle will he put to much stress on it...
Probably.

>...Russian tortoises are they ok to house with a box turtle?
Absolutely NOT---different requirements altogether.
See www.russiantortoise.org for care of Russians.
HTH,
Pat
Russian care

Thank You. Lisa