Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm curious if anyone on this forum keeps turtles or tortoises. I've been thinking about getting some CB wood turtles. I could house them outside by enclosing and modifying the space around my little backyard pond that I put in last year. From what I hear, they are great pets.

Thanks,
Ed

i dont know Ed i myself never had an interest in keeping turtles just because i always thought them to be smelly and keeping them inside would suck having to cleaning out all that water all the time, plus i cant imagine them being as fun to keep as snakes....

however i grew up with lots of ponds close by so i was allways out catching them and playing with them, just never keeping them.

it actually looks like you have a nice little outdoor setup there, and maybe that is enough to make all the difference to where it could be cool
-----
-Stephen-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...

more distant future hopefuls
1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
--anery boa (ooooh)
--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
--dumeril boa (ahhhh)

slightly more wishful thinking
--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
--motely boa (gorgeous!!)

It would be tough keeping turtles/tortoises indoors for me as well. Really not feasible. But I think they can be fun pets,
and I think you're right - keeping them outside in a nice pen would be fun for me, not to mention better for the turtles. From what I read, NA Wood Turtles are pretty smart. One of the websites that sells them says: "North American Woods have tremendous personalities. In intelligence tests, this species tests higher than some mammals. They learn very easily, and very quickly."

Kind of a neat compliment to my Indigo snake - a protected, North American species that has a lot of personality.

Thanks!
Ed

>>i dont know Ed i myself never had an interest in keeping turtles just because i always thought them to be smelly and keeping them inside would suck having to cleaning out all that water all the time, plus i cant imagine them being as fun to keep as snakes....
>>
>>however i grew up with lots of ponds close by so i was allways out catching them and playing with them, just never keeping them.
>>
>>it actually looks like you have a nice little outdoor setup there, and maybe that is enough to make all the difference to where it could be cool
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
>> 2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
>>-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...
>>
>>more distant future hopefuls
>>1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
>>--anery boa (ooooh)
>>--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
>>--dumeril boa (ahhhh)
>>
>>slightly more wishful thinking
>>--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
>>--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
>>--motely boa (gorgeous!!)

hey there ya go, lucky jack huh getting a new girl and a buddy
-----
-Stephen-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...

more distant future hopefuls
1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
--anery boa (ooooh)
--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
--dumeril boa (ahhhh)

slightly more wishful thinking
--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
--motely boa (gorgeous!!)

I keep and have kept several turtles in my life. I like them and if you are talking about the American Wood Turtle I hear they make great pets as well. They are a threatened species in my state and can be acquired out of state as long as it is legal for that state to sell them as well. Outside is the ideal place to keep them as long as they have proper microclimates for their sustenance. Most I have been fortunate enough to see in the wild where in fast moving cold water streams just sitting on the bottom. I have seen them in heavily wooded areas but they where never far from water. So I would assume a water source out of direct sunlight would be a beneficial part of this animals miniature ecosystem you are looking to recreate for him in your yard. I have heard in time they come to recognize you as a food source and come "running" when they think you are going to feed them. I hear and have actually seen my friends box turtles do this as well in his turtle pen he had in his yard.

Here is a few turtles I currently keep and one box turtle I caught way back in the day.

-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

Hey Frank,

Yes, I was referring to NA Wood turtles, I should've specified
that. I'm planning on putting some shade trees and a lot of plants/shrubbery the area, a large hide box or log, and making
a mini-stream with the pumped water coming out of the pond.

I live fairly close (under 300 miles) to northern VA (southern partof the wood turtle's supposed range), so I think the temps/humidity here will be fine. (As an aside, my parents actually found a wood turtle in their backyard, and they
live in the next town over from me. It was probably an escaped pet, but it looked real healthy.)

Thanks for the info and the pics, I love the snapping turtle. Maybe I'll put one in the pond. Well, maybe not, he'll probably bite the tail(s) off the wood turtle(s).

Thanks,
Ed

>>I keep and have kept several turtles in my life. I like them and if you are talking about the American Wood Turtle I hear they make great pets as well. They are a threatened species in my state and can be acquired out of state as long as it is legal for that state to sell them as well. Outside is the ideal place to keep them as long as they have proper microclimates for their sustenance. Most I have been fortunate enough to see in the wild where in fast moving cold water streams just sitting on the bottom. I have seen them in heavily wooded areas but they where never far from water. So I would assume a water source out of direct sunlight would be a beneficial part of this animals miniature ecosystem you are looking to recreate for him in your yard. I have heard in time they come to recognize you as a food source and come "running" when they think you are going to feed them. I hear and have actually seen my friends box turtles do this as well in his turtle pen he had in his yard.
>>
>>Here is a few turtles I currently keep and one box turtle I caught way back in the day.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----
>>=========================================================
>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>=========================================================
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Frank Roberts
>>
>>
>>
>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

It may not be an escaped pet, they are still walking around in Va most likely.

>>Hey Frank,
>>
>>Yes, I was referring to NA Wood turtles, I should've specified
>>that. I'm planning on putting some shade trees and a lot of plants/shrubbery the area, a large hide box or log, and making
>>a mini-stream with the pumped water coming out of the pond.
>>
>>I live fairly close (under 300 miles) to northern VA (southern partof the wood turtle's supposed range), so I think the temps/humidity here will be fine. (As an aside, my parents actually found a wood turtle in their backyard, and they
>>live in the next town over from me. It was probably an escaped pet, but it looked real healthy.)
>>
>>Thanks for the info and the pics, I love the snapping turtle. Maybe I'll put one in the pond. Well, maybe not, he'll probably bite the tail(s) off the wood turtle(s).
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Ed
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>>I keep and have kept several turtles in my life. I like them and if you are talking about the American Wood Turtle I hear they make great pets as well. They are a threatened species in my state and can be acquired out of state as long as it is legal for that state to sell them as well. Outside is the ideal place to keep them as long as they have proper microclimates for their sustenance. Most I have been fortunate enough to see in the wild where in fast moving cold water streams just sitting on the bottom. I have seen them in heavily wooded areas but they where never far from water. So I would assume a water source out of direct sunlight would be a beneficial part of this animals miniature ecosystem you are looking to recreate for him in your yard. I have heard in time they come to recognize you as a food source and come "running" when they think you are going to feed them. I hear and have actually seen my friends box turtles do this as well in his turtle pen he had in his yard.
>>>>
>>>>Here is a few turtles I currently keep and one box turtle I caught way back in the day.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>-----
>>>>=========================================================
>>>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>>>=========================================================
>>>>Thanks,
>>>>
>>>>Frank Roberts
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.
>>
>>
-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

It would be cool if there were a wild population here in the Raleigh area. Supposedly they only range as far south as northern Virginia, though. Highly unlikely that I'll ever solve the mystery!

>>It may not be an escaped pet, they are still walking around in Va most likely.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>>Hey Frank,
>>>>
>>>>Yes, I was referring to NA Wood turtles, I should've specified
>>>>that. I'm planning on putting some shade trees and a lot of plants/shrubbery the area, a large hide box or log, and making
>>>>a mini-stream with the pumped water coming out of the pond.
>>>>
>>>>I live fairly close (under 300 miles) to northern VA (southern partof the wood turtle's supposed range), so I think the temps/humidity here will be fine. (As an aside, my parents actually found a wood turtle in their backyard, and they
>>>>live in the next town over from me. It was probably an escaped pet, but it looked real healthy.)
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for the info and the pics, I love the snapping turtle. Maybe I'll put one in the pond. Well, maybe not, he'll probably bite the tail(s) off the wood turtle(s).
>>>>
>>>>Thanks,
>>>>Ed
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>I keep and have kept several turtles in my life. I like them and if you are talking about the American Wood Turtle I hear they make great pets as well. They are a threatened species in my state and can be acquired out of state as long as it is legal for that state to sell them as well. Outside is the ideal place to keep them as long as they have proper microclimates for their sustenance. Most I have been fortunate enough to see in the wild where in fast moving cold water streams just sitting on the bottom. I have seen them in heavily wooded areas but they where never far from water. So I would assume a water source out of direct sunlight would be a beneficial part of this animals miniature ecosystem you are looking to recreate for him in your yard. I have heard in time they come to recognize you as a food source and come "running" when they think you are going to feed them. I hear and have actually seen my friends box turtles do this as well in his turtle pen he had in his yard.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Here is a few turtles I currently keep and one box turtle I caught way back in the day.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>-----
>>>>>>=========================================================
>>>>>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>>>>>=========================================================
>>>>>>Thanks,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Frank Roberts
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.
>>>>
>>>>
>>-----
>>=========================================================
>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>=========================================================
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Frank Roberts
>>
>>
>>
>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

are not the most accurate things around. Copperheads are supposedly all across NJ, you don't see them very often and they have been extirpated from most areas in this state except far north and south. Those maps are rarely precise and are outdated as well.

>>It would be cool if there were a wild population here in the Raleigh area. Supposedly they only range as far south as northern Virginia, though. Highly unlikely that I'll ever solve the mystery!
>>
>>>>It may not be an escaped pet, they are still walking around in Va most likely.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>Hey Frank,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Yes, I was referring to NA Wood turtles, I should've specified
>>>>>>that. I'm planning on putting some shade trees and a lot of plants/shrubbery the area, a large hide box or log, and making
>>>>>>a mini-stream with the pumped water coming out of the pond.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I live fairly close (under 300 miles) to northern VA (southern partof the wood turtle's supposed range), so I think the temps/humidity here will be fine. (As an aside, my parents actually found a wood turtle in their backyard, and they
>>>>>>live in the next town over from me. It was probably an escaped pet, but it looked real healthy.)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Thanks for the info and the pics, I love the snapping turtle. Maybe I'll put one in the pond. Well, maybe not, he'll probably bite the tail(s) off the wood turtle(s).
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Thanks,
>>>>>>Ed
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I keep and have kept several turtles in my life. I like them and if you are talking about the American Wood Turtle I hear they make great pets as well. They are a threatened species in my state and can be acquired out of state as long as it is legal for that state to sell them as well. Outside is the ideal place to keep them as long as they have proper microclimates for their sustenance. Most I have been fortunate enough to see in the wild where in fast moving cold water streams just sitting on the bottom. I have seen them in heavily wooded areas but they where never far from water. So I would assume a water source out of direct sunlight would be a beneficial part of this animals miniature ecosystem you are looking to recreate for him in your yard. I have heard in time they come to recognize you as a food source and come "running" when they think you are going to feed them. I hear and have actually seen my friends box turtles do this as well in his turtle pen he had in his yard.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Here is a few turtles I currently keep and one box turtle I caught way back in the day.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>-----
>>>>>>>>=========================================================
>>>>>>>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>>>>>>>=========================================================
>>>>>>>>Thanks,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Frank Roberts
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>-----
>>>>=========================================================
>>>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>>>=========================================================
>>>>Thanks,
>>>>
>>>>Frank Roberts
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.
>>
>>
-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

Good point. Especially since I've been making fun of
the USGS' idiotic range maps for Burmese pythons:

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1875

>>are not the most accurate things around. Copperheads are supposedly all across NJ, you don't see them very often and they have been extirpated from most areas in this state except far north and south. Those maps are rarely precise and are outdated as well.
>>

>>Good point. Especially since I've been making fun of
>>the USGS' idiotic range maps for Burmese pythons:
>>
>>http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1875
>>
>>
>>>>are not the most accurate things around. Copperheads are supposedly all across NJ, you don't see them very often and they have been extirpated from most areas in this state except far north and south. Those maps are rarely precise and are outdated as well.
>>>>
>>
-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

Ed,
...Looks like an interesting outdoor setup. Be very careful of predators. Most of the people I know who have kept aquatic turtles, lizards and tortoises outside have experienced losses to Hawks, Owls, Otters, Raccoons, Foxes, feral cats and Bobcats etc.
Jeff

>>I'm curious if anyone on this forum keeps turtles or tortoises. I've been thinking about getting some CB wood turtles. I could house them outside by enclosing and modifying the space around my little backyard pond that I put in last year. From what I hear, they are great pets.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Ed
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

Hey Jeff,

I was going to try to minimize the risk of predation by
using an electric fence around the perimeter. But that won't do any good against a hawk, which probably would be one of the more likely culprits. So thanks for pointing that out. I'm also not sure what the minimum size (turtle size, that is) should be for turtles in open, outdoor enclosures. Still trying to sort it all out...

Thanks,
Ed

>>Ed,
>>...Looks like an interesting outdoor setup. Be very careful of predators. Most of the people I know who have kept aquatic turtles, lizards and tortoises outside have experienced losses to Hawks, Owls, Otters, Raccoons, Foxes, feral cats and Bobcats etc.
>>Jeff
>>
>>>>I'm curious if anyone on this forum keeps turtles or tortoises. I've been thinking about getting some CB wood turtles. I could house them outside by enclosing and modifying the space around my little backyard pond that I put in last year. From what I hear, they are great pets.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks,
>>>>Ed
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>