Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone see why I shouldn't do this?

Of course I would keep my eye on them for aggression, etc. I just finished the large outside enclosure and would like keep these two unsexed Eastern juvie BTs I just adopted from MATTS (THANKS Katrina!) with the two Three-Toeds. Of course when the Easterns get a little older (they're about 4-5 years old right now) and sexually mature, I would split the pen into Three-Toed and Eastern sides. Or should I just do that now? Thoughts?

You should be quarantining all new animals anyway...just build the other pen and be done with it.

I just finished the new outside enclosure today. It's about 11x8 feet, split in half to accomodate the new Eastern juvies I just adopted and the adult Three-Toeds that are giving me sexing problems.

Thought I would share some pics of the enclosure and the new boxies. Both side of the enclosure are pretty much identical-fallen logs and other hides, leaf litter, fern, hosta, fountain grass. The only difference is I put the Easterns on the side that gets more shade. Enjoy.

Looks really cool! Watch the divider. They may be able to climb over it, especially a male if he sees a female on the other side.

Love your E boxies! I've been trying for years to get another EBT, but haven't found anything to fit the bill. I sure envy your fresh enthusiasm too! I remember when I got my first boxies!

I still enjoy them of course, but it's just not the same. Kinda like the new car smell wearing off! lol!
-----
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

Ha! Well, from reading all of your posts and responses, I would say you seem like you plenty of ethhusiasm left. Case in point, you drilling through your yard like a wildcatter in search for a lost boxie...

You're right on the divider. I'm going to buy some more and double stack it. They're already crawling at it, especially the lighter of the Easterns. That one can't sit still. It just goes and goes and goes. It's exhausting to watch, to be honest.

Thats a great enclosure you built, it looks great and looks like all their needs are taken care of, they should be very happy and do very well!!!
-----
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

I have an 8'x11' pen just for my lone adult male - he makes use of all that space. So maybe eventually you'll want to expand.

You need more plants - try to think of anything that would be cheap, safe, and fast growing. Bush type green beans could provide some coverage. You can make hides out of large pieces of bark off old logs or even wood scraps.

This pen is sure nice! Keep a close eye on it at first to see if any turtle finds a weak link and correct it. I had a corner in my pen where the females would gather and I just knew one day one would climb the backs of several and crawl out. I placed a cap on that corner. They would need a saw to get out of it now Tess

Thanks, everyone.

I'm really enjoying it, mostly b/c the boxies are enjoying it. They were at there most box turtle selves yesterday as they all dug around in the mulch and leaf piles and basked on the grassy area. It's really nice. I just need to build a top now that I can latch on when I'm away or at night so they don't have to go back and forth to the night pen and can just stay in their bigger digs.

I am watching closely for escape attempts. I doubled up the divider since I took the pics and they all leave it alone now. It's so nice to have it done. I spent five days digging the trenches and cutting the landscape timbers and two days putting it all together.

You don't want to put juveniles with adults. It only takes one bite to end up with irreparable damage (a missing eye, nose, etc.). Plus, males can be such jerks, and might even mount a juvenile for dominance issues and damage the marginal scutes over the neck.

You might want to try some artificial silk plants in the water dish, esp. for the juvies. The safer they feel, the longer they'll soak. Maybe a piece of plywood or shading cloth over one corner for high noon shade. Although it gets pretty warm in Maryland, the easterns aren't used to the several days of 100 temperatures of central Texas.

There is a risk of disease transmission, too, even if all turtles are healthy.

I'm glad everyone is pleased with the turtles and they have a good home!

Katrina

Thanks, Katrina. Yeah, I quickly went away from the idea of putting them together.
And don't worry about soaking; those two LOVE soaking in the dish. The only "problem" I'm having with them is they're not eating their veggies. Although, I did get one of them to eat some squash this morning with nothing else mixed in it to entice them.

I do have the water dish shaded too, with some purple fountain grass. Seems to working well. They're very inquisitive and active during the cooler hours of the day and not shy in the least; you can tell their captive breds!