I have some 2 year old box turtles that are a pretty nice size. The did not hibernate so they pretty much eat 10 months out of the year. At what size do you think the juvinile turtles should be before they can be mixed with the adults?
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At what size do you put your juvinile box turtles with the adults?
wsysock
May 13, 2003 09:28 PM
Replies (3)
PHBoxTurtle
May 13, 2003 10:22 PM
>>I have some 2 year old box turtles that are a pretty nice size. The did not hibernate so they pretty much eat 10 months out of the year. At what size do you think the juvinile turtles should be before they can be mixed with the adults?
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I go by the size, not age of the turtles I have raised. If the turtle has a SL length of 3 inches, I felt comfortable putting them with the adults. Actually, the adults had to be careful of the young ones because they had a habit of stalking the adult's toes and tails 
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PHBoxTurtle
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threetoedOK
May 13, 2003 10:32 PM
I would be careful about putting young turtles in with adults, especially hatchlings that emerge following hibernation. I've seen adult turtles pursue them like they think they're snails, something to eat. Also, small turtles can escape much easier than adults. I kept the juveniles in a terrarium until they reached three inches in shell length, then placed them back out with the adults.
nathana
May 14, 2003 09:25 AM
I won't mix mine until the juveniles are at least half the size of the biggest male in that particular pen. Females shouldn't have issues with the little ones (at least not serious ones) but males might, either by trying to mate with or by competing for mates with the youngsters. At half adult size they are basically just small versions of adults, properly proportioned, with sturdy shells to protect them if they need to hide from a male's advances (amourous or angry). My '01 youngsters are not ready to mix with my adults yet. They hibernated one winter so far and are growing well, but I do not think they could handle it just yet.
Another thing I have is different water setups in the pens. My youngsters have a paint roller tray that is sloped and they can easily get in and out of it. The adults have cement mixing tubs with large cement blocks sitting in them, not so easy to get in and out of if you are small.
