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A friend's neighbor just gave me his box turtle because "it never does anything". The poor thing was being kept in a plain glass tank with six inches of water and a rock! She's a little underweight but otherwise seems okay. During examination I also learned she is gravid. She's so full of eggs I don't think she can close her shell. My question is: not knowing how long she's been carrying eggs, how can I tell if she becomes eggbound? So far she's been very active, but hasn't eaten. Any suggestions?

Hello,

Just to double check, a box turtle kept in six inches of water?? Box turtles are land dwellers not aquatic. They do need access to water to drink and soak, but not to live in. I wouild personally take the tort to a good reptile vet. There may be more wrong with her than show's.
Jeff

I wouild personally take the tort to a good reptile vet. There may be more wrong with her than show's.
>>Jeff

That was my first thought too because IMO an x-ray is needed. If she's been kept in poor conditions and fed a really poor diet there's a chance that those eggs could have calcified inside her. She may need the help of a vet to get them out of her.
AND it's too true, there may be a lot more wrong with her than just that.
Good luck with this one!
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PHRatz