Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello to you all I am new to this side. I was given a box turtle for my son for his birthday. He is living very happily in his tank and eating like there is no tomorrow. However the little guy stinks his cage does not stink he does. Is there any thing I can do for this. I do not know if he can take a bath like my Tegus do or if this is just something that he needs to let wear off? Thank you for any advice you could give me.
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Beau W.

I know box turtles are not aquatic but if in my out door pond they have sloped gravel that alows them out into the water will they drop off into the deeper water? I do not want them to accidently get out and not be able to get back up. I guess my real question is will they stop when the water is deep enough for them? Thanks a ton

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Beau W.

he would love a bath.Box turtles like to soak in shallow water.some of mine soak for hours.Also,boxies can swim when they have to.As far as the smell goes,after his "bath" you need to make sure there isn't something causing it.An infected wound or sore for example.

Posted by: piglet at Sun Jul 25 11:20:48 2004 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

"he would love a bath.Box turtles like to soak in shallow water.some of mine soak for hours.Also,boxies can swim when they have to.As far as the smell goes,after his "bath" you need to make sure there isn't something causing it.An infected wound or sore for example."

Also, be sure and change the water daily, or as soon as he leaves it if he soils it. And by soil I mean both ways: he'll get it dirty from the substrate AND turtles often defecate in the water. Of course, in the wild, there'd be running water or other small water creatures that would benefit from turtle poop but left in a cage, it will stink up pretty quick and of course, not be healthy. If you watch, he'll probably stick his head in and drink for a long time, then move into soak and use the toilet. If he is soaking in the water and reading a magazine at the same time, you can be reasonably sure he's having a "moving experience". (joke)

Also, I'm sure you already know this, but of course use un-chorlinated water (bottled, rain water, etc.)

Thank you for your help we change his water three times a day that is my sons job and sometimes he is a little too enthusiastic about it. He is costing me a small fortune in bottled water. But he is loving it and so I do not mind. We have started giving the turtle a bath every afternoon in a childs wading pool we filled with gravel and made into a little turtle paradise. He loves it out there and the smell is going away now.
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Beau W.

"There are no athiests in foxholes. It is not an argument against athiesm but rather one against foxholes." James Morrow

How old is your son? Sounds like he is learning a great lesson in responsibility. I wish every parent out there who bought her son a box turtle took as much interest in the keeping. Of course, with your tegus, you're already an experienced herp keeper but I'm still amazed at times whenever people who keep one kind of animals quite well can show complete stupidity at keeping others. Obviously that's not directed at YOU! I just mean it's great you asked for assistance for an animal you aren't familiar with. Anyway, speaking of "stinky turtles", you haven't seen (smelled?) stink until you keep some good old Stinkpot turtles (real name). lol

My son is 6 and the turtle was a birthday present. He was actually the one that got me into tegus. We were at a friends herp shop and he saw our blue only she was tiny then. He asked if he could hold her and so he sat on the floor with her on his lap. When she fell asleep there and looked so cute I was hooked. I went home did all sorts of research built a tank then went and picked her up. Now we have the 4 tegus a red tail boa and my sons turtle. The smell has gotten a lot better I am wondering if it is just because it was outdoors all the time till we got it. I am not sure but he is clean and smellin better now. I am wondering if I should do some looking and try a sulcata at some point in the future I have always liked the way they look. Thank you for all your help.

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Beau W.

"There are no athiests in foxholes. It is not an argument against athiesm but rather one against foxholes." James Morrow