Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It sure startled me when I went out to check on the turtles! lol

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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 teddybear hamster
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children

haha that is funny. It is amazing what box turtles can do. Maybe you could build some kind of barrier around the pen so that they can't do that. I would be afraid of them falling.

I'd be more afraid of a broken leg, or him putting a hole in the screen..
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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

Would you believe I DO have a barrier around the bottom...but I guess it's not a very good one!
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 teddybear hamster
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children

You need a solid barrier atround the bottom of the pen: if they can see out they will try to get out...
1x12's stood on end, with 1x1 nailed along the inside 'top' edge to act as a lip should provide enough of an overhang to prevent any more climbing. A 12" tall barrier with slight overhang has been working well for us for a couple of years now.

Tx, I'll think what I can do!
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 teddybear hamster
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children

If I hadn't seen the pics I would not have believed a turtle could climb straight up like that! Amazing feat for such a bulky little animal. I would be most afraid of them climbing too high and falling possibly damaging a shell or even worse... Barrier seems like the best solution although you might also be able to cover the lower 6-12" with some sort of solid seethru material so you don't spoil the beautiful look of your enclosure.

Good luck and great enclosure you have there!
Matt

The bottom 12" should NOT be see through, or your turtles will constantly try to get out, and may if fact become listless if they can see out but can't get out.
It won't ruin the look of the enclosure at all, and by planting around the edge on the outside, you won't even know its there.
I'll say it again: if your turtles can see out, they will try to get out. That screening won't be enough to contain a determined turtle bent on escape.
Stephanie

I have seen box turtles climb a chain link fence. When they get to the top they have to get there shell about 3/4 the way up before they fall over the other side. On the way down they seem to close up real fast then roll a few feet get out and keep going.

CrazyCody

Thanks for all your comments, suggestions and compliments! Obviously, I will have to do something, I just haven't figured it out yet. I'm not too worried about the looks of the enclousure, that will take care of itself.

I'm wondering if she will learn not to climb though. She's a pretty bright turtle! The day I first put her in there, I found her in the pond! Apparently she had fallen in, and there she was clinging to one of the rock piles I had made just in case this happened!

I took her out, and she hasn't fallen in again!

But, I'm keeping a close eye on the situation to see what needs to be done.
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 teddybear hamster
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children

just remember one night of climbing can result in the loss of a turtle or 2, and housing 3 different species together is NOT recomended..
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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