Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I see alot of WC box turtles for sale and I have heard that they are not worth buying due to the health problems and demanding care they need from being wild. Alot of the WC turtles I see are from texas and I live in arizona and would be keeping them outside.So if any of you can help guide me in these matter or have bought WC turtles PLEASE let me know what I am getting my self into. Thanks Brandon

I also have bought some CB babies that I will be keeping in a 80 gallon tank if anyone has any tips for there care

Why?
For alot of reasons, many of them ethical. It goes way beyond health issues of WC vs CB.
Box turtles are getting scarcer and scarcer: they are protecetd in many states. When there are CB available, why consider WC? Do you really want to help put these creatures on the endangered species list?
If you MUST have a turtle, either adopt one from a rescue society in your area, or contact an organization such as TurtleHomes. A good place to start would be a local Herp Society.
As for housing a hatchling in a tank, remember this: they grow faster than you think, and in a year or two, that 80 gal. tank will not be big enough.
If you live where turtles do, they belong outside.
And wild turtles belong in the wild.
Stephanie

well do you have any place in arizona you can point me in that direction.

Thanks brandon

Try starting here:
Link

Then try these...
Link

You didn't say how many hatchlings you have, but
unless you have an unusual number, an 80 gallon
would be more than sufficient for a year or two, maybe
longer depending on the number. I usually keep my
hatchlings in a couple of 10 gallon tanks for the first
year. Starting with the summer they turn one, I put
them in a wading pool habitat with peat moss as a substrate and logs as hiding places. Then I bring
them in when it gets cold in the fall.

I'd avoid WC, especially since captive bred is available.
I wouldn't get a lot of box turtles unless you can keep them
outside at least part of the year.

I have three on order and possibly two more hatchlings if this seller gets back to me today. I am working on an outside encloser for them I have a acre and a half in buckeye arizona and would like to make a few enclosers and get so sulcata or leopard tortoises later and have a turtle garden in my backyard.