Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All,

i have had my baby box turtle since november (only about 3 inches long) and i have been keeping him inside for the winter. I have all the things required, high humidity, UVB tube, i soak him every other day and feed him every other day. Right now he will only eat moving things like crickets, mealworms, butterworms and sometime earthworms and silkworms, but i try to sneak in some carrots and vegetables once in awhile by pretending it is a mealworm (it doesnt always work).

So today i noticed that one of the scutes on the edge of his shell seemed not right. It looks brown and dried up. I was wondering what this could be.

I was thinking that he isnt getting enough UVB light because all he does is burrow all day with his head sticking out. Any opinions?

Alex

Do you have a basking light for him too? He needs that in a corner also. Hard to say without seeing what is going on in that area of shell. If there is any bad smell or any soft area, you need to get him to a good turtle vet soon. That could be a shell infection which would need injectable antibiotics. The things you are feeding him are OK if you include some other foods. The foods you listed are a bit calcium deficient. Feed him little feeder fish. Great balanced food. Try cooked egg with the shell ground up in it too. If you can stomach it, pinky mice are another balanced food. Your little guy will be easier to care for, happier, and be more apt to stay healthy if you put him in a proper outside pen when the weather is warm. UVB lights are not an equal substitute for direct unfiltered sunlight. Some will tell you they are but they aren't! See this website for more good care info. and more diet info. Good luck.
Gulf Coast Turtle & Tortoise Society

Alex, a couple of my hatchlings have a'dry' looking edge to a scute or two, and I'm not really positive what caused it but I did notice that the humidity was not as high as it could/should have been, and since adjusting it, the problem has not spread or gotten worse.
I would suggest that you soak your little guy every day, if only for a few minutes, instead of every other day, and observe it closely.
Stephanie

Thanks for the advice... will begin soaking him daily...

Alex