Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I just got a new hatchling three toe box turtle,
he is only a few days old he still has his egg tooth, what should I use to keep in
his cage, cell - sorb or bed a beast? or is there something else better? How long should I wait till he eats? I fear he may have a respitory infection. I have a light on his cage for now,
his eyes are clear but he has been opening his mouth more then I think he should, he was just shipped in moss that was wet.
Any help would be greatly appreciated we love the little guy already, he is sooo cute!!!
feel free to email me at beverlyhale1@comcast.net
thanks in advance for your time.

Mouth breathing is usually not a good thing. The key is warmth: you must keep the little guy above 80, if not at 85 to 90, all day and most of the night. Most respiratory infections can be beaten this way if still in the early stages. In addition to a warm light, a UVB light really helps as well, especially now that we are getting into the colder and gloomier months. Make sure to combine this heat with the appropriate amount of moisture so the little guy does not dry out.

In addition, nutrition is key. New hatchlings will respond more to squirmy things than fruits or vegetables right now, yet you should place a variety of foods in his enclosure. You should dust the food with reptile calcium powder, as well as spray it with the liquid vitamin/electrolite mixtures that are sold. This will ensure that there are no outright deficiencies that could hinder his recovery. Small slugs, worms, or soft baby crickets will probably entice the little guy right now more than anything else.

I am questioning the wisdom of someone who sent you a hatchling at such an early stage. Could he or she not have waited a week or so to ship? It is getting colder at night, and even during the day, in most parts of the country, and it seems silly to ship a delicate hatchling in these conditions. A couple of weeks would have produced a stronger specimen. Good luck!

I agree with what you said, but wanted to mention that the hatchlings are quite cold hardy (not freezing, but colds down into the 50's for up to a few days will not bother them).

Shipping them is fine so long as they are not going somewhere below about 50 degrees for long, and are not going to freeze. Padding them properly is what I would consider more important in shipping. I've shipped out and recieved a LOT of turtles.

Adults are surely hardier, but the hatchlings shipped young is not really a worry at this time of year (heat would actually be a greater worry).

Keep them warm and moist, that's the best you can do right now!

I didn't assume that cold would outright kill a baby, but I've always had problems with temperature and hatchlings. It seems that the colder the baby is, the more likely he is to develop a respiratory problem. Perhaps there are other factors that I am ignoring, but I have noticed that temperature seems to be the most important issue.