Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Someone on one of my internet groups was driving along on trash night and saw an aquarium on the side of the road. He went over to check it out and was surprised to find a turtle inside. Since he wanted the aquarium and not a turtle, he offered it to the group. Well, I picked the cutie up last night & here I am now! LOL...

I live in NJ and have been doing a bit of research online regarding boxie care. I currently have what I believe to be a male Eastern box turtle. If scute age approximation is reliable, he's about 8yo. I'll try to get pics up tonight so y'all can verify. (He's got the talon-like hind claws, a white lower jaw, reddish spots on his front legs, and a bland carapace.)

From what I've read online, I should assume this fella was a pet and it should never be released into the wild. I want to be sure since I have always wanted a turtle (My house is full of turtle collectibles.) and don't want to have my emotions get in the way of what's best for this guy. Do I assume the roadside aquarium find was a pet? LOL...

I currently have him housed in a failed garden that's approximately 8ft by 2.5ft. The ground is mottled shade with no grass, moist soil, a pine tree, and a few hostas. The enclosure is pine stockade fencing on one long side and I want to be sure this is okay. The other sides are 3ft metal garden fencing.

He's only been with us for 12hrs, but I want to be sure I'm doing the best I can do for him. I offered him a plate of grapes, mangoes, tomatoes, zucchini, and 2 earthworms this AM, but didn't expect him to eat due to the stress he's experienced. I'm happy to report that he ate a 4in worm from the garden. I want to provide him a varied diet each week adn I will also be going to the LPS today to look into any recommended pellets and/or vitamins. Would he also need substrate added ot his enclosure as well? Also, how would I offer crickets?

I suppose I should look into NJ permit information as well since it's aparently a requirement. My vet doesn't specialize in turtles, but he does handle exotics. We'll be seeing him within the week if I can keep the cutie. LOL...

Thanks for any suggestions!

Jennifer

I'm sorry they're so dark and just of hte shell. By the time I could get my camera, the little fella went to bed. LOL...No wonder since he also happened to eat the HUGEST slug I have ever seen. :-p You can get a small peek at his head in the last pic.

Thanks!

Jennifer

http://members.sparedollar.com/alamode/turtleplastron.jpg

http://members.sparedollar.com/alamode/turtleprofile.jpg

http://members.sparedollar.com/alamode/turtlepeekhabitat.jpg

I'm glad you were able to rescue him and that he wasn't hurt or anything. From looking at the pictures it looks to me that it is a 3 toed boxturtle rather than an eastern, but i'm not 100% but am almost sure its not an eastern b/c I have 8 easterns and not a one looks like that. Well good luck with it and I hope you enjoy yur new boxie whatever type it is.Peace easy

Coop

Thanks, Coop! The general consensus is 3-toed boxie which aren't indigenous to NJ. Looks like I have a new friend!

Jennifer

it's a male 3-toed boxie...
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You have to keep him 3 toed are not native to nj. Are you sure someone was throwing him out that sounds totally bizzare.

I agree it is a three toed.
If you decide you do not want him e-mail me and I'll put you in touch with the rescue people in the NJ Herp Society.
I would offer a home but have enough right now since I just had 5 hatch and need to dig up another clutch when I get home.

Ed

Thanks, Ed!

I'm positive I want to keep him as I've always wanted a non-aquatic turtle. I have quite the turtle fancy, so I wanted to be sure my desires weren't geting in the way of what was best for this 3-toed beauty. I've always admired the Sulcata at the Cape May Zoo (before the fire ), and I think this 3-toed is just the start of a new and fascinating hobby. I'll try myself out and will most likely be asking about reputable breeders next! LOL...

Best wishes on your new crew!

Jennifer

Jennifer,

We have a few three-toeds for adoption in MD, if you are interested! Lots of box turtles come up for adoption in the mid-Atlantic.

Katrina
www.matts.petfinder.com

Well, I wasn't the one who came upon the curbside aquarium, but I was told the tank was butted up against the trash cans, along the curb on trash night in Philly. I have the turtle in an outdoor enclosure, but I'll study up on how to care for him.

Thanks!
Jennifer

You have to be very naive to think this is bazarre. I've been doing rescue for over 5 years now, and I hear about this type of thing all the time. The MARS rescue has gotten plenty of lizards and a box turtle that were found in their aquariums next to trash dumpsters in alleys in MD.

Katrina

Thanks Rouen! Now I can read up on how to properly care for this fella!

Jennifer

yea thats a 3 toed box turtle. turtles r ilegal to keep in new jersey unless u have proof the animal is cb. i keep a number of different turtles and get a bunch every week people find try to keep and when its almost dead they give it to me. i bring there health up then let them go. if u have any questions or any thing u can e-mail me at CrazyCodyKadunk@hotmail.com

CrazyCody

Thanks! As this guy was a foundling, I have no prrof he was CB. I just assume he was a pet that someone got tired of caring for and decided to toss him. Sad...The previous owner laid him out with the trash in a 20L.

Jennifer

It should still be legal in NJ as long as you list the person you got it from and how they got it.
I have 1.1 that I am adding to my permit that were brought to the Zoo that were found in the trash.

Ed

Well, if the turtle isn't native to NJ, would you still need to prove that it was CB?

Katrina

Usually no (see below) as it is not a requirement with nonnative species. You have to show where you got it. A written statement from the person in addition sent with the permit application will be fine.
I have several rescue animals in my collection that were given to me by people so I could not show the bill of sale so I included the the information for where I got the animals, and why and have never had a problem.
The problems usually arise with native to NJ species that are often collected casually such as Eastern Box Turtles as this has been dealt with differently depending on the person interpreting the rules at that time.

Ed