Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I have been doing a lot of research about getting box turtles and have read about and mentally prepared myself for any illness they could develop. However, from what I have read it seems that they are always sick with something, and I'm not sure if I should get them and risk that they get sick, because I'd hate to see them in any pain. Are my fears justifyable, that their being sick as common as I have read, or are they generally healthy if kept properly.
Thanks,
Max

Many gold stars for doing lots of homework BEFORE getting a box turtle!
I would say that your assessment that box turtles get sick easily while in captivity is generally correct. I think that this happens for a variety of reasons, the most important being that box turtles have very complex needs that we are all just beginning to understand more fully.
As a result of previous lack of understanding, there are still lots of sources of information out there that are loaded with inaccuracies, and turtle keepers make mistakes in caring for their pets because they've been led to believe that turtles are "Low Maintenance", or "Easy to Care For", etc., when the opposite is true.
Many of the sick turtles you read about have probably been kept indoors under less than ideal conditions: hence the respiratory illnesses due to poor diet and/or lack of adequate humidity, poor bone and shell growth due to inadequate lighting, stresses due to problems maintaining adequate temperature gradients, egg bound females suffering or dying because (in part)of lack of a suitable nesting site, to name a few things.
People that keep their turtles indoors and healthy have, you will find, gone to great lengths and expense to maintain optimal conditions for their turtles, building roomy set-ups, with pricey lighting and heating systems, misting systems, filtration for water, etc., and they tend to monitor their pets regularly, checking for behavioral changes that may indicate a potential problem.
Boxturtles that are kept outside (year round, climate permitting) tend to have fewer health problems because many of their requirements are met by Mother Nature. This is not to say that its less of a responsibility, but rather somewhat less of an investment of time and electricity.
At some stage, pet box turtles will require an outlay of cash: what you need to ask yourself is whether or not you want to spend money on good supplies up front, or vet bills later on.
If you aren't in a position to house your turtle outdoors for at least part of the year, I would suggest that you hold off on acquiring one until you can.
Again, high praise for thinking it through before getting one!
Regards
Stephanie

I would say that most people post when they have a problem, looking for help. People don't post much if they don't have many problems. I think that given the optimal conditions (being kept outside in natural habitat, given correct varieties of food, etc) they can be relatively easy to take care of. But you have to be prepared to spend lots if the need arises. Dumb analogy, but if your car breaks down you spend a couple hundred bucks to get it fixed....if your kids get sick you spend the money to take them to the doc....if your sink backs up you spend the money on plumber, etc. I have had my four boxies for four years, they are kept outside in Florida. I try to do every thing right. I have only had to take one of mine to the vet twice, and it was several hundred dollars each time. It broke my bank, but you do what you have to do. But I would never trade them, I spend hours watching them and taking care of them for my enjoyment. My opinion..if you can keep them outside, go for it. If you would have to keep them inside, get a bearded dragon or other reptile. Good luck!

Shawnon
St Pete FL