Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am getting a new house this summer. I am only going to be able to build a 8' x 16' enclosure. I a plan on have dense vegitation to make it harder for the boxies to constantly run in to each other.
How many should live in this size enclosure?
If I have to many I will quarantine them from March till Augest and release them on a wildlife reserve. If that is a bad idea then explain why.

Bad idea on soooo many levels. Releasing captively maintained animals into the wild has been discussed multiple times on many different forums so you can do a search to get that info. I've read your posts in the past and you seem to have only a rudimentary idea of the general husbandry practices associated with keeping Box Turtles. Try sticking with one or two and see if you can keep them healthy and happy for a few years before you start adding to your collection. Good luck with the pen.

I think you missed my point but I may be wrong. I have a certain number of turtles. I feel as though when I move a 8 x 16 enclosure may be too small. The One I have now is bigger. I have pics of me eight years old with box turtles and an enclosure. I am 26 now. For some reason in those 28 years I never realized that there was more to keeping a box turtle than most people know.
I understand that captive box turtles may have a disease and it may spread to the wild population. But I don;t understnd why everyone says not realease a captive turtle. Every wildlife rehabber keeps animals in captivity and then realeases them. So say if my males constantly fought and I had to (Hypotheticaly)keep only one. How is it bad for me to take it to wildlife rehabber to be released in the wild? I am not arguing this point. I need to learn why.
How will box turltle populations every come back with out people releasing captive breed babies?
I know people on her have hatchlings every year. They don't sell them, or give them to friends who are inexperienced, and they don't keep them. They must realease them. I thought.
Please don't reply in a condacending manner. I really would like to learn more about the subject.
Thanks

I'm sorry if you feel I'm condescending. I guess I'm just an old fart. But from the posts of yours I've read, you really don't seem to have a good grasp of the basics. Nothing wrong with that, just don't pretend to be something you're not. For instance you say " I am 26 now. For some reason in those 28 years I never realized that there was more to keeping a box turtle than most people know." So are you 26 or 28? You say you've had boxies since you were 8 so I don't believe that adds up to 28 or 26 years experience. As I said before, get a good grasp of the basics before you try anything like releasing animals that have been maintained in captivity into the wild.

I mean to write 20 years. It was a typo. I know it adds up to 18 years but I was rounding off. If you pm me your address I will send you current pics of me and pics of me when i was 8 years old with a turtle pen with a rabbit and turtles.
You were not condecending. I was figured I was asking stupid questions and felt stuid and would have more stupid if you wwere condecending
Normaly i would have launched a verbal assault at you making the implication I am a liar because of a typo butwhat for?

My brother has had turtles for just as long and knows even less thna I do. Everything I have been told here I have already read online. Such as the answer to my hatchling eye problem. i found the answer on pogospals.com before I even posted the question here. We all have access to the same info. I know less than anyone here but can answer my own questions by doing my own research. I try the posters here and get a second opinion.

Honestly, why would anyone lie about how many years they have had box turtles? Does it make me cool if I had them longer? If anything it nake me look stupid becuase I learned nothing in 20 years. I did things like feed them beef.

I am not trying to offend in anyway. I have no reason to lie on a turtle forum of all places.

I think you already know why its a bad idea to release previously captive box turtles into the wild, since that territory has been covered many times before in several different venues.

I know that you have a tendency to ask questions for which you already know the answer: you may want to find a better way of framing your questions.

Rehabbers typically have been well trained and are licensed, and have the means to do a much more thorough health check than yourself, which is why they can re-release rehabilitated animals, and you should not.

As for your new pen: I would keep as few as possible in a pen that size. You've run into problems in the past with not having funds for proper care, and the situation getting out of control. I sincerely hope you've learned from past mistakes, and will keep as few as you can realistically manage at one time.

Thank you. You understand me very well.You answered my question perfectly. One thing though, The rehabber I know says box turtles respiratory infection is caused by asian box turtles defacting ans then rain puts some bacteria from the defacation in the indiginous turtles water supply. I told you this before with less explanation. You told me it was wrong. I know you are right. I am just pointing out being a licensed rehabber does not mean you know what you are doing. On this occasion anyway.

My original question has not been answered. I am building a smaller pen. I took many tuirtles to the rehabber last year and I think I have seven. Don't call me a liar if I say 8 when they come out of hibernation. I am not sure. How many can I out in the 8 x 16 pen?

You don't know how many turtles you have??? Lord man, I don't want to be a jerk but come on. I'd say that's pretty important. If you care so little that you can't even keep a head count I think you'd be better off with anothe type of pet. And where are you getting these massive number of animals you keep taking to the rehabber? Something smells a little fishy. I think you're pulling our leg.

If you have read any of my other posts you would see that I am not pulling your leg. I do not know because I had to take some to the rehabber in the summer. I don't remember how many. It might have benn 5. I don't remember. I also forget what year my son was born, all the time and everytine I out something on the stove I forget 5 minutes later. I out my brain through alot in my teenage years.

This forum is no different than any other forum on sports or whatever. I asked how many box turtles can go in a 8 x 16 pen?
I also said i was thinking of releasing some box turtles. Now, it is almost common knowledge that I should not do that. Every site I go to tells me not to. I wanted info from real people to tell me their experience but instead look how it turned out.

Stephf, What do you do with your hetchlings? I know you don't sell them. I a not saying you release them either. i just want to know what you do with your hatchlings every year.

Four females
No males so they won't reproduce
Give the remainder to a good rescue in your area.

If you release, you are being irresponsible for placing the animal in a situation that it has not been prepared to deal with. It's immune system is not ready to deal with all the potential problems. Physically, since it has been sheltered in your care, it isn't prepared for the demands of independence. Emotionally it would suck to be that turtle.

Why wouldn't you consider a rescue? It seems like a much better alternative. I have gotten 7 of my 8 turtles by adopting them. I like the challenge and love the fact that I can give a good home to a pet that was no longer able to be kept or was no longer wanted.

If you consult with your local DNR you'll find that it is also illegal to release captive animals as you propose. If you want to become a wildlife rehaber you need to do so legally. They will require that you work with an experienced person, sort of like an apprentice until you demonstrate that you are capable and willing to do what is necessary. If you aren't then you shouldn't.