Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello there,

I am at a loss with this box turtle. See, I¡¦ve raised and cared for many different snakes and lizards, but never a turtle. And before anyone thinks I¡¦m an idiot for getting an animal before researching its care¡K please read on ƒº

Two weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, there was a box (of the cardboard variety) on my front porch. I thought this was odd as normally packages are left by the carrier at the back porch. Then I found out that there was a turtle in this box. This wouldn¡¦t be the first time people have left animals at my house. I even came home to a goat once, and my area is definitely not zoned for farm animals! (I live in Los Angeles).

I¡¦ve been searching on the internet about this guy, and I believe he is an Eastern Box Turtle. He¡¦s very bold and always on the move, but he wont eat. I¡¦ve had him for 2 weeks and have offered him everything I could think of, save mealworms or slugs (those are next). I¡¦ve tried commercial box turtle food, moistened dog food, veggies, fruits/berries, cooked eggs and hamburger meat. He looks skinny to me, and has ridges on his shell that look like growth rings, so maybe he wasn¡¦t fed very well where he came from.

I¡¦ve soaked him, I built an outdoor pen for him (partially shaded at all times, brick floor under 5¡¨ of dirt and lots of dandelions, spring grasses, and clover planted), and I¡¦ve sunk in those roller paint pans for pools. He cruises around, buries himself and that¡¦s it. He wont touch food.

Is there anything I¡¦m missing? I wish I could take him to the vet, but until my next paycheck that¡¦s not possible. Any suggestions of what I could do in the meantime?

Thanks,
Jackie

Try moving (live) food to get him interested in food, preferably right after soaking him.
Earthworms, snails, slugs, crickets, pillbugs, mealworms would all be good choices to try, as would berries, like strawberries, blackberries, bluberries, or other aromatic fruit, like canteloupe.
Burger meat, hardboiled eggs, and commercial foods really aren't the best choices: here's a link for you to check out.
Stephanie
Link

sounds like you pretty well have a good setup to start out with. the ridges you referred to are common on the top of the carapace in the eastern box turtles. this may indicate that he is still a juvie, as they normally become less pronounced with age. like with most reptiles, changes in environment ( moving to a new place ) can put them off balance ( stress ) for a while until they get comfortable with their new place.

the hardboiled egg with shell on, I think, is good occasionally. it has plenty of calcium. the rest of the commercial stuff is mostly trash. some turtles really love it, but I have only used that stuff as a rare treat. things like that can get a turtle spoiled into refusing what's good for them. earthworms, crickets, and mealworms have always been the top three that have worked for me to get one eating if they are going to. I have also put up several links in previous messages that could assist you as well in learning more about turtles.

Mick
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"A man that should call every thing by it's right name, would hardly pass the streets without being knocked down as a common enemy."

The Complete Works of Goerge Savile, First Marquess of Halifax, 1912.

Thanks so much for the replies. Unfortunately all they had at the petstore near me were small mealworms... but I tried anyway.He looked at them like he was going to eat them, and them proceeded to walk over them. How frustrating! I will try to find some nightcrawlers, or slugs. He grew to be this big on something!

I'll keep trying... thanks again for the help! Those links were really helpful, too. (I'm going to try the vet if all else fails).

-Jackie

When I rescued my box turtle I had the hardest time getting him to eat. Rinsed, water packed sardines are what did the trick for me. Then I got him to eat moisted Wardley's Aquatic turtle food (he won't eat Reptomin). By gradually adding other food items I was able to expand his diet. After 3 years he JUST ate mealworms for the first time tonight. Nightcrawlers are a definate favorite. Just keep trying different things. Also, make sure he's warm enough as turtles will not eat if they're cold.

Since he is outside, might he be catching his own food?
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 Australian shepard
0.0.12 chickens
3.2.0 children
1.0.0 husband

He walked over the mealworms. Were you watching?
My biggest turtle is the most skittish. She will not eat if she knows I am watching. If I leave food with her then leave the room she'll eat it. If I watch her, she'll walk right over it & smear it every where.

PHRatz