Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my 3 toed box turtle's beak is growing. I've had him for 3 years and theres about 1/16" of new growth. I don't think this is recent, but rather cumulative. I can only assume it will continue to worsen, how do I control it?

theres nothing really crunchy in his diet, perhaps thats the problem? he eats mostly romaine, with treats now and then... almost exclusively plant material though, no bugs. should i change his diet? buy him a rock to munch?

Yes, please add insects and harder items to his diet. In fact, the diet you are now feeding your turtle is inadequate to say the least. Please read the diet chapter on my online box turtle care book at www.boxturtlesite.org/bxbook.html.

The health chapter has a section on beak growth that may help you decide if the turtle's beak needs to be trim by a vet. If it is not too long, just eating off a hard surface like an unglazed tile or paver may help.
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Tess
Kingsnake.com Forum Host

Thankfully I don't think the problem is so bad as to warrant a trip to the vet; he still eats very effectively, but I was worried.

I'm a college student so romaine is obviously the easy solution and it fits well with my schedule and budget. I was told it would be adequate but appareently I was mislead.

I'm concerned that he won't be interested in cuttlebone, however. While he is an avid eater, he has some habits, like refusing to eat while people are moving around near him. He also won't attempt to eat anything that isnt extremely appealing; the only way hed touch dry turle 'pellets' was if I first weaned him onto them with a sandwich made of pellets and bananas.

I give him fruits and veggies in approximately the proportions suggested in that site, but I see i'm hugely lacking in protein. I will try some crickets, and other store bought critters, but will ground beef be acceptable? obviously given my present finances (or lack thereof) ground beef is a staple of my own and is in ready supply.

My apologies for the multiple repies, however:

I've read around the forum and I think it's relevant to point out that my turtle also has nails that are getting long (I've cut them but was so nervous about hitting the blood vessel that I think I was too conservative). They're about 1/4" long up front, and 3/8" in back... Theyre not curling or anything but I think theyre still pretty long. Is this also attributable to, what apparently is, a poor diet?

Furthermore, his skin is very dry. He doesn't have any 'outside time' since I live in a crappy apartment, but I give him baths now and then, and spray him down when I can... His tank doesn't have a 'pool' in it or anything either. he seems to like when I help him remove flakes of dry skinm but I am still concerned.

Briefly I had added a water pool to his tank, but he made a #$%#ing mess of it and I couldn't keep up. His activity level however was noticably increased whern the water was around... what does this indicate? hes too dry, obviously, and has poor nutrition?

WHat are your best suggestions. I love my turtle, his name is "Chief" btw. I'd really like to get his diet fixed so his beak gets fixed, and add water to his tank cuz I think he likes it. Whats the most economical way to add protien.

(Not that it matters but he was a gift from a girlfriend several years ago. she picked him because he has a large area, 1.5" x .5", of shell damage, from which he has made a full recovery, although his normal scute pattern hasnt grown back in the area; only a rough uniform surface remains there)

Your turtle needs a more humid environment and a source of clean water.
Turtles are messy, and have a tendency to use water dishes as both bathtubs and toilets, which means that it is up to you to clean it out on a regular basis.
If you are unwilling to keep a dish in its enclosure, then you really need to allow it to soak DAILY in a separate container in conditioned* (not tap) water: its skin should not be dry and flaking as you described, and it needs to be able to drink!
By setting aside 15-20 minutes a day to attend to your turtle's needs, you will greatly improve its health and general condition, without putting a serious crimp in your lifestyle.
I think that the adjustments you need to make are all very manageable, you just need to work them into your routine: all you need to do is make a start.

*Conditioned water is simply tap water that has been allowed to stand in an open container for 24 hrs or more to allow chlorine to evaporate off.
Stephanie

Ground beef tends to have a higher fat content than is considered desirable, but if your already buying lowfat beef for yourself, then browning small quantities over lower heat and for longer period of time would help render more of the fat, and allowing it to cool by spreading it out over some layers of papertowels would also absorb even more fat.
Another inexpensive meat would be to buy chicken drumsticks: they're cheaper than breast meat, and are less fatty than thigh or wing. Just remove the skin and boil til cooked thoroughly ( when the meat is falling off the bone), cool, cut up, add some bits of carrot (eg.), a little of that romaine lettuce, and your off to a good start. By chopping up the ingredients, your turtle will be more likely to get more of what you want it to eat, too.
By spending a few extra minutes once a week or so, you can make up batches of more wholesome foods to have on hand without putting a huge dent in your budget.
Stephanie