Reptile & Amphibian Forums

over the past few years i have tinkered around with box turtles from the wild with my son. we would find one, keep it a few days then release it . presently we are building a new house in the country whose landscape provides a wonderful opportunity for an outdoor pen.want to ask a few questions so that i get it right from the beginning. first of all, for outdoor walls, will landscaping timbers work or not. also, where is the best site for buying some young box turtles - or can i and should i buy a pair for raising. i live in kentucky. by the way, how do they ship these things

#1 NEVER get a wild box turtle. It took about 2 months for mine to even come out of its shell when i was around. And plus you don't want to deplete the wild populations. I made the mistake of buying a wild caught female.

#2 Wood should work fine with an outdoor pen. It works for me!

#3 If you want to start with babies then don't even think about moving them outside for at least another 1 to 2 yrs.

#4 I heard some where that the laws were VERY tight about box turtles in Kentucy. It was something like you can't own anything that is native to there or something weird!!

Well, good luck with the laws I hope you find some way around.
and remember Captive Bred (CB)

>>#1 NEVER get a wild box turtle.

I have 2 wild caught box turtles. Some people are successful with them.

And plus you don't want to deplete the wild populations.

It's possible to buy CB only 1 step removed from wild-caught (i.e. parents wild-caught), but if it makes a person feel better...

>>#2 Wood should work fine with an outdoor pen. It works for me!

Keep in mind though that box turtles, especially ornates, can climb very well--even vertical surfaces provided there are sufficient toe-holds. Be sure you design and build your pen carefully--maybe even with an inward overhang at the top to safeguard against escapes.

>>#3 If you want to start with babies then don't even think about moving them outside for at least another 1 to 2 yrs.

What is the basis for that? Wild babies do just fine, apart from predation, and a lid on the pen will prevent that.

>>#4 I heard some where that the laws were VERY tight about box turtles in Kentucy. It was something like you can't own anything that is native to there or something weird!!

There are quite a few states like that. California has some pretty idiotic laws regarding herps, though I don't think they're enforced (e.g. I'm sure they don't tell you at the pet store you need a fishing license to legally own a captive-bred Cal king). Many states have laws against keeping native animals, but it's OK to bulldoze all the habitat to make more houses.

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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

I agree with all of the above except:
>>#3 If you want to start with babies then don't even think about moving them outside for at least another 1 to 2 yrs.

What is the basis for that? Wild babies do just fine, apart from predation, and a lid on the pen will prevent that.
Actually i ahve "lost" hatchling box turtles outdoors. Others get crushed by logsna drocks and many many are eaten. I totally agree witht he first poster and would never keep any turtle under about three inches outside. If you build a good fine screen top than maybe you can get away with it but then you cut down on lightingnd you can't see your animals as well. But if you live in an area where there maybe skunks, raccoons, foxes hawks or weseals this maybe a necessity anyway. One option is to invest in a cheap electrified fencing system around the pens. This will deter predators but watch out for dogs and children.

As far as overhangs, I think they are essential. They help prevent escapes and provide dark places.
Don't forget to heavily plant the pen (use some edilble plants like greens and strawberries and raspberries) and use some creative geometry when landscaping it. Make small hills and valleys. This will increase the useable area of the pen (as curved "planes" hold more "space" than flat ones). And it will help keep the animals (turtles) from seeing each other as often and may reduce aggression between them.
Don't forget water. A shallow (two to three inch) but large (3- 6 square foot) puddle-like pond will be appreciated by the turtles, and an easy way to clean it will be appreciated by the owners.

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There are actually smaller predators that you need to consider looking out for, and a finer mesh for the lid and even underground may be prudent if you plan on keeping hatchlings or yearlings outdoors. Here is a link to an article on the subject, regarding chipmunk predation:
Link

A good place to get box turtles is through your local herpetological society or club. Most have an adoptions officer or adoptions committee. Most also have websites that you can check for adoptees, or email them.

You can also contact your local wildlife rehabber. They sometimes have turtles that can not be released back into the wild.

It is not recommended to bring a wild turtle into your home for a few days, then release it. It will pick up human pathogens and spread them to other turtles, making them all very sick. Whole colonies of turtles have been known to be wiped out this way.

take care

Turtles do not pick up pathogens from humans... if anything it is the other way around (i.e. salmonella)

The problem comes from wild turtles from different areas coming in contact with one another.... and exchanging pathogens. One population may be immune, but the other is not.

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>>It is not recommended to bring a wild turtle into your home for a few days, then release it. It will pick up human pathogens and spread them to other turtles, making them all very sick. Whole colonies of turtles have been known to be wiped out this way.
>>
>>take care
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Greg
http://greg978.tripod.com/

Landscaping timbers are fine, but you will want an inground barrier to prevent digging out. You will also want to be aware of predator problems and be able to deal with them. Adult box turtles should be less bothered by predators than smaller or other specis, since they can clam up, but scratches or wounds on their shells are not really fun to deal with.

If you want some ideas, try www.aileo.com This is my personal domain, my wife "alesia" and myself "nathan" have links at the top menu with photo albums. in the albums listings you'll see we both have turtle albums, these are full of pictures to give you ideas. Also, www.aileo.com/aileona/ is a site with some basic turtle information. We are in North Carolina, so only in a slightly warmer climate than you, and I can assure you that eastern box turtles would do great for you.

Make sure you take into account issues like drainage, digging out, predators, shade, hibernation spot, and water dishes, and you should do great. Feel free to drop an email to me nathan(at)aileo.com if you'd like ideas and recommendations specific to your plans. I moved to the country a year ago myself, and finally now I can build substantial and permanent beautiful pens instead of my past temporary structures, so i am pleased.