Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I've just joined the world of Eastern box turtles. A colleague at my office is moving to a smaller house that does not have central heat (we are in SE Alaska), will be travelling frequently, and had decided they could no longer keep their female turtle safely. When no one is home the house will get too cold. "Millicent" has been in their care for 15 years but was pretty much grown when they got her. I'm sure she was wc. I haven't measured her yet, but her shell is smooth and firm, eyes clear, no old injuries, never had respiratory problems, and I've been told she is a stubborn character who tends to do the opposite of most box turtle behaviors. Her former keepers had obviously read about box turtles and seem to know about the typical health issues. She has always had fresh fruits, worms, slugs, occasional cooked chicken, loves cooked eggs, hates veggies (except corn), and hates large terrariums. She has a small odd home built terrarium packed with spaghnum moss, bushy fake plants, large water pan, UTH, and full spectrum light mounted horizontally on one side. The light was changed 3 months ago. They tried giving her what would be considered a good size terrarium years ago and she holed up in one area, hardly ate, and never used the space. When put back in a smaller space she seemed to relax. She has been hibernated at least every other year.

So, I'm reading up on box turtles and wondering just what "bad habits" in terms of diet etc. she has now that I should work on and just how to do it. I've kept other herps for many years and had the typical child's sliders and an occasional tortoise wandering through. She's welcome to share my home as long as she needs to.

I know there are lots of "care sheets" and books about box turtles floating around, but if anyone here could recommend on that is current and good quality I'd appreciate it.

Thanks for listening!

Carlton Collins

1:3 Malaysian leaf frogs
1:0 Swainson's toucan
1:0 ball python
0:1 Australian cattledog
0:1 Eastern box turtle
too many roaches, nightcrawlers and crix to count

Hi! And welcome to the forum! Congrats on your new "friend"! Sounds like you have been doing some research already. Good for you! Millicent sounds like she has had some good care and is lucky to find someone like you to continue caring for her. Here are some other links to get good info:

http://www.anapsid.org/mainchelonians.html
http://www.billsboxturtles.com/
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-easternboxie.htm
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Terrapenecare.htm
http://www.boxturtlesite.info/ (by "our own" Tess Cook!"

That should give you a lot to go on, others around here I'm sure will have more info you too! Good luck and keep in touch!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.11.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch(rabbit)
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband

Thank you very much!

One aspect I've seen conflicting info about is temperature. I know she's on the cool side now (about 72F in the tank, house is 65F), but her original UTH just went to the great junk box in the sky and I am trying to make up for it with lighting until the new one arrives. There is one small pet supply in Juneau (a 20 min air taxi flight away) that carries UTHs but they don't have thermostats to control them. How bizarre is that? She is slightly active, but I know it won't be great for the long term. She hasn't eaten for a few days but apparently this is normal for her. I'm not overly worried right now and will get her temps up ASAP.

The most important thing about temps is to make sure she has a continuum of temp. in her enclosure. That way she can move around to regulate her body temperature.

The other thing I strongly believe in is having a UVA/B bulb. And the bulb is as close to the turtle as you can get it without worrying about her coming in contact w/ it and getting burned.

My boxies often go for several days w/o eating, then they will suddenly decide to chow down!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.11.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch(rabbit)
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband

Yes, she does have UVB/UVA light, and there is a gradient of temp in her tank. I'm not overly worried about not eating as it has been cool in the house.

Sounds like you're all set! Keep in touch and let us know how you 2 are doing!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.11.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch(rabbit)
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband