Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have this WC eastern box turtle that I've posted about before. I think someone guess it to be around 3-4 yrs old.
I talked to the person that had it before me the other day. They were saying that found it Sept 04. Well, I'm thinking about releasing it b/c I don't think it's doing to well in captivity. While I've had it all it does is hide and lately it's not wanting to eat or drink. I usually have to sit it in the water dish and then it drinks. I'm worried it's going to die and would be better if released, if it makes it that long.
I have several really good locations where it would do great but waiting for a good temp. What would be a good night time temperature for this little one so I can turn it loose.

Although it may seem the best thing to do would be to release this animal, it could do way more harm than good. First, if the animal has been in captivity for longer than a month, it should not be released. If it is not eating, it is more than likely sick, and releasing it could allow whatever it has to be spread to the wild population of box turtles. Second, if has not been eating, chances are that it will not have enough energy to survive in the wild, or be able to find its own food. The best thing to do in your case would be to find a qualified repitle vet, or turtle rescue group. They should be able to get the turtle in better shape, and then find it a good home. Where are you located?? Good Luck!

another thing to consider is how legal it is, releasing a box turtle or most any animal without being qualified to do so by law is illegal due the the fact that illnesses can be spread so fast and wipe out a whole population.
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I should have mentioned earlier that I do have an appointment with a reptile vet this week.

Does the person remember where it was found? That would be the best place to release it at. Rehab turtles are often in captivity for up to a year before release, so I wouldn't worry too much about time limits.

Has there been any exposure to other turtles, especially non-natives, which may spread something completely new into the environment?

If the health check comes back clean, release would be the best option as if it hasn't adjusted to captivity, it most likely won't. I vote for release back where it has a chance of surviving.

Good luck, jen

Many infections in captive turtles can brew for months before becoming apparent. If this turtle has been in captivity since september, it should not be released. Even the common respiratory infection that box turtles often get in captivity can spread very quickly in a wild population. If the turtle is not eating, and is acting sluggish, then its a good chance it has one or more diseases, and should not be released. Find someone who can get it back to health and give it a good home.

If the turtle is not eating, and is acting sluggish, then its a good chance it has one or more diseases, and should not be released.

Is it possible it's "not doing well" in captivity because it's only been there since September, and it doesn't eat because it knows it's brumation time?
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Excellent point.
The turtle may not be sick at all, but rather just going with its instinct to brumate.
I had to force feed a sub-adult rescue through the winter once (a few years ago), that wasn't sick at all, but was underweight as a result of drought. He hid alot, and was generally 'doing poorly', but he bounced back with a vengeance once April rolled around, and has been living outside ever since without ever having gotten sick.
Its not unusual for turtles to 'do poorly' over the winter months: witness the number of posts to that effect on this forum during the autumn.
Based on what's been described, it may be best to release it where it was found, presuming it gets a clean bill of health from the vet.
Stephanie

Good idea and probably right on the money! Always dread the ones which come into rehab during the fall as they have started shutting down and are very hard to get through the winter. Never eat properly and cause great amounts of worry : ). Already counting days until those can get released!

In which state do you live? Do you know the exact location where the turtle was found?

Katrina

The vet trip went good and the same thing was mentioned about it being an adult WC spending it's first winter indoors. I didn't even think about that! But, that must have been the problem.

The past week has been really nice here.....no heat, no AC turned on, just every window opened. Well, my house is horrible from Spring to Fall(even with AC). The past week the temp in the house during the day has been 78-85(made the temp in her home increase way too much but I got that fixed).
Anyway, Boxie is all over the place and trying to eat anything and everything. Her eyes look more brighter and when I pick her up to check her, she pokes her head out now.
I talked to a wildlife rehab that said she could easliy be released if I chose too. But now, I'm kind of attached to her. This weekend or the next, we're going to start building her a spot outside that she can stay in year round. It'll still be a month or so before she can stay out b/c it still gets chilly at night.

Thats great! I'm glad to hear she's perking up.
I'd like to suggest a couple of things for you to do before making a decision about whether or not to keep her.
First, do lots of reading and research about box turtles and their needs and requirements, and evaluate whether or not you have the financial resources to provide optimal care. It can get expensive to get yourself properly set up. And, like the saying goes, if you can't afford the Vet, you can't afford the pet.
Consider also that, when given proper care, turtles can live a very long time... are you prepared for that scenario? If say, you're going away to college, getting married and/or having kids, moving, etc., will you be able to continue to care for your pet?
Then, I would suggest you ask yourself if it might be kinder to release the turtle in her native habitat, and to consider instead acquiring a surrendered pet or captive bred animal to keep. That way, the wild population where she was found has a chance to remain somewhat stable, and you still get to have a pet to enjoy.
Food for thought, & not intended as a lecture.

Stephanie

Don't worry, I've done lots of research. I know about the set up needed. I have other turltes, a tortoise and other reptiles.(Also,this box turtle has been no where near the others & we wash up really good after handling her).
As far as the vet, that's no problem either. I'm a vet tech and the reptile vet gives me a nice discount.
Releasing her back in the wild to keep the species going is still an option. If we release her, we'll make her a spot outside for awhile and do a slow release.

Oh yeah, The people that found her, found her in their pool(subdivision). So releasing her at the house isn't an option.