Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I had ordered two baby box turtles, and they arrived today in a big empty box. I placed them in the terrarium I had arranged for them, and one baby looked quite lively and started to explore. The other one, from the time I opened the box till now, does not move, but just lies on the substrate with its legs spread-eagled. It blinks a bit, and once moved its head a bit, but otherwise...

Do you think it is just surprised by what has been happening to it, or is it dying? I am concerned by the shaking up it must have received on its trip here. Should I place it nearer to the water and/or heat, or just leave it be?

Thank you.

thats how mine was for a little while then he started to burrow, he was a real pain to get eating too, try letting him soak in warm water I wouldn't move him near the heat if he's really weak he might not be able to move away if he gets to hot, if he doesn't start moving.. even if it's just burrowing, within the next few hours I'd be concerned,
did the person you got them from say they were healthy?
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My Site
1.2.1 Terrapene Carolina Triunguis
0.0.1 Nymphicus hollandicus
1.0 Melopsittacus undulatus
1.1 American Cocker Spaniels
1.0 American Short Hair? Cat
1.1 Rouen Ducks

Thank you for the advice. The baby I was worried about all of a sudden started burrowing, and now they are both buried in the substrate. I set a small bowl of box turtle food in the tank, and maybe they'll start eating soon.

They're supposed to be healthy, maybe the slower one was just scared and shaken.

Baby boxies can be tricky. I would advise you to keep him very warm, about 86, soak him in warm water every day(sometimes the babies are too stupid to find water) And then go outside with a shovel and start digging up baby earthworms! Anything else you see that will fit into a babie's mouth, grab those too! Just keep trying to feed them, and be patient. Although, I once had to have a baby box tube fed, so just keep an eye on him.

Thanks, and will do! I want these little guys to outlive me. I'll dig them up later, and give them a warm soak.