Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have three box turtles that I rescued last spring crossing SC-31 in Myrtle Beach. I know that I probably should not have taken them home but they were definitely going to get squished trying to make it across 31 (its a new freeway straight through wetlands/and heavy forest). I saw at least 20 dead turtles during my commute throughout the spring and summer.

They have been doing really well until the colder weather started. I have 10 acres in the country and a .25 acre area enclosed for my fig trees that I put the turtles in with a lot of mulch and vegetation. They really seemed quite happy hiding in the roots of the trees or under the mulch. When it got colder, one turtle immediately found a spot to hibernate and has been out of it for a least a month. The other two acted kind of lost like they didn’t know where to hide because they weren’t home. I got really nervous and brought them all in (including the sleepy one). They are now in an unheated closet without any lights. The temperature is around 60-70 degrees in there and I have them in a long plastic storage container with dirt, leaves and sphagnum moss. There is no window in the closet so I can’t make it any colder for them. The sleepy turtle is still asleep. The other two are not too active ( I had been putting the light on in the closet during the day but they were pretty active when I did that, so I turned it off) but not hibernating and not really eating too much (if at all). I have lettuce and Box turtle food out for them, but I am not sure if this is a good idea or not. I have a water dish out and have been putting them in it periodically. I have also been spritzing them and trying to keep them hydrated.

I am so worried about them. I have a 20 gallon tank and a 15 gallon tank with proper lights, etc. but they hate being in it and I don’t blame them. I don’t want to hurt them and I regret not taking them across 31 myself. I only want the best for them. I will give them up, if you think it is vital or if you have any other ideas on proper care, I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. I know they are wild animals and it seems wrong to have them (even over winter) in my closet.

Sorry for the long post. I appreciate any advice you have.

You need to either warm them up (75-85 degrees) or cool them down (45 degrees): they need to be kept at summer temps with lights on 14 hrs. per day, or they should be allowed to hibernate more fully at cooler temps. Anything in between isn't good for extended periods.

If I were in your shoes I'd try to create a barrier around a good place for them to hibernate outside, so that they don't get exposed, and let nature handle the rest.