Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found what I thought was a box turtle about 3 months ago. It was in my garden which is about 300 yds from a pond in NE Ga. Until a couple of days ago it only had about 1/4" of water. It spent some time soaking but was usually out.I put a larger water bowl and it stays in or near the water, and even tries to dig under the rocks under the water. I changed to a sandy soil because it was always trying to dig, maybe it don't like that. It seems alot happier in the water. It will eat some veggys but verry little. it loves worms and snails. It looks just like some hatchling box turtles I saw on the web. I am trying to get some pics posted but my good camera is down. My question right now is can the hatchling box turtles completly close there shell? This one can't or don't
thanks
Larry

I don't know how to get the pics on here

No, typically hatchling Box turtles can't close their shells.
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You may want to check the GA regulations regarding captive Box turtles.

It is the same as the turtle pictured in a post by persephonie on Mon. Apr.11/05 at 19:48:33. Why would it stay in the water?

The animal referenced is a box turtle. Based on where you're located in GA, it could be a Three-toed or Eastern box turtle. Baby box turtles like substrate that is moist. When given the choice of dry substrate or water, the turtle would have to choose water. If not, it would be a raisin in no time. A good substrate to use is sphagnum moss. It can be purchased at any craft store and even Walmart. Make sure that the name say SPHAGNUM!! Many people buy Spanish moss by accident, and this type has virtually no water holding capacity.

Replace the current substrate with this moss and keep it damp. Keep offering living prey items like earthworms, slugs, snails, sowbugs(roly-poly, potato bug, isopod, etc.), mealworms, superworms, crickets, and a great deal besides. Offer tomatoes, greens, squash, cucumbers, and other veggies even if they're only nibbled upon. Purchase some Calcium/D3 and multivitamin dusting powder and dust prey insects, even earthworms. Use calcium/D3 one day, then multivitamin the next. Keep the ambient temps near 75 degrees F. A warm spot near 85 degrees F would be great. Young box turtle benefit greatly from the addition of a UVA/UVB light, such as the 18" Reptisun 5.0, 8.0, or 10.0. Keep the water bowl in the enclosure and full of clean water at all times. You may need to release the turtle in the spring, based on your state regs. However, it's too cold now so here's your chance to give the turtle a great headstart.

Please join us on the 'Box Turtle' forum. We'd love to see pics, also.