Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I tried looking for this information but have not been able to find it.

My turtle free roams around the house most of the time which is mostly carpet. He does have access to food and a water area to soak in which he uses when needed.

I'm wondering if keeping him out all the time is going to cause any health issues.

not at all, my turtle ran around my apartment for almost 20 years and he loved it just make sure once in a while you bring him to the water and food bowel, (i mean he will find it any way) but just so he becomes femilar where his food and water is good luck. oh almost for got put once in a while some turtle vita shell on his shell its good for there shell they sell it in the pet shops.

Thanks. He already comes to his water and food on his own. Twice a week, he gets a warm bath with vitashell afterwards so I'm already doing the suggested.

I just wanted to make sure it wasnt an issue.

Again, thanks.

FYI I have seen postings on here where overgrown claws and beaks can be a problem from being on carpet and not having any rocks or sand to give them normal wear.
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Jeff Benfer
You'll get your regius's to the wall, man!
1.0 pastel Python regius
0.1 mojave Python regius
0.1 normal Python regius
0.2 Terrapene carolina thriunguis
2.3 Terrapene carolina carolina
4.1 Kinosternon baurii
1.1 Malaclemys terrapin terrapin
2.1 Ambystoma tigrinum
2.2 het albino and anerythristicThamnophis sirtalis parietalis
1.0 anerythristic Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
1.1 Iowa snow Thamnophis radix
1.1 heterozygous for amelanistic,carmel, and stripe Pantherophis guttatus
0.1 anerythristic motley Pantherophis guttatus

Thank you for the heads up and what to look for! Regarding the claws, I can easily trim those and have done so for my RES. I would need to look into trimming an overgrown beak but he doesnt have any beak problems right now. I suppose we could cross that path when we get to it but I rather prevent.

He does have cuttlebone available in his dish during feeding time. He loves that stuff. Other than that, I am not taking any steps to prevent an overgrown beak (that I know of). Please let me know if you are aware of any other tips!!

I would think the cuttlebone should keep the beak in check. I always thought it would be neat to have a boxie running loose in the house but I'm affraid I would be walking around the house in a hurry and not paying attention as I often do and suddenly hear "crunch" beneth my foot. Perhaps I am overly protective.
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Jeff Benfer
You'll get your regius's to the wall, man!
1.0 pastel Python regius
0.1 mojave Python regius
0.1 normal Python regius
0.2 Terrapene carolina thriunguis
2.3 Terrapene carolina carolina
4.1 Kinosternon baurii
1.1 Malaclemys terrapin terrapin
2.1 Ambystoma tigrinum
2.2 het albino and anerythristicThamnophis sirtalis parietalis
1.0 anerythristic Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
1.1 Iowa snow Thamnophis radix
1.1 heterozygous for amelanistic,carmel, and stripe Pantherophis guttatus
0.1 anerythristic motley Pantherophis guttatus

He's been very predictable up to now as to where he spends his time. He is either under his hiding bark refuge, by the food/water area, by the window sunning, or under one side of the couch. I rarely see him walking around except to go from one place to the other.

I would leave it up to the owner to decide though. I wouldnt want to own a recliner and have a boxie running around freely :|

*Mental note* - Never buy a recliner.

I have seen some turtles who have free roam of the house and most had bad skin and nail condition since room air is usually too dry and carpets don't allow for the natural abrasion of the nail. How long has the turtle been roaming your house? Look at its nails, are they long and curling? Look at the skin, is it very dry and peeling or thin and papery?

If you can, let it roam outside as often as possible-at least a few times a week so it can walk over dirt and rocks and hide under wet plants so it can get moisture to the skin.

>>I tried looking for this information but have not been able to find it.
>>
>>My turtle free roams around the house most of the time which is mostly carpet. He does have access to food and a water area to soak in which he uses when needed.
>>
>>I'm wondering if keeping him out all the time is going to cause any health issues.
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Tess Cook
www.boxturtlesite.info

The turtle has had free roam of my place for the last year and a half but I've had him for 3 years. Its previous owner used to keep it free roaming around as well and I've known this particular boxie for about 12 years now.

I did a quick comparison of box turle nail pictures that i've found with my turtle and the nails are not long nor curling besides what seems to be the norm.

His skin did look dry when I first brought him home but I've been using the vitashell. Every other day he gets a 15 minute soak and on the days he doesnt get soaked he gets sprayed with water. I know these werent things his previous owner did. His skin has gotten better since I first brought him home. I'll continue to watch for dry skin....

I did turtle proof the deck because I live on the 2nd floor. Its build out of wood and he gets a chance to go out in the afternoons. He has access to water and a 3.5 x 6 turtle pen with wood bedding, etc. Whenever possible, i do bring him to a friends house and put him the backyard but I'll admit I dont feel comfortable doing that and only do it if we are outside and he's under supervision. I'm always concern that he'll hide and I wont find him.

Please let me know if you have any other tips! I appreciate your time.

It sounds like you are aware of his needs and seeing to it that he gets water/moisture and sunlight. I agree-if you take him to a friend's yard may want to make a "playpen". This is a big box made of 1" X 1" wooden frame and covered on all sides with chicken wire. It is light weight and he can still feel the grass underfoot and maybe catch a bug or two It should always have shade which you can make by covering half with a board. Don't use a towel in case it gets blown off by the wind and expose him to full sun.

The only other tip I have for people with free roam turtles is to be careful about small children, the elderly and people who are immune suppressed coming into the home-they can become very sick, even die from Salmonella poisoning. We must consider our pet turtles carriers of the bacteria just to be safe. ie-I would never not wash my hands, or allow a turtle to soak in a bathroom basin or tub without washing it down with bleach. The kitchen sink should be off limits. Tess