Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I have been trying to locate a box turtle for a while. I prefer to adopt as my current reptiles were adopted. I have been watching an internet classified page and every time one comes up it is snatched. I have even had people flag my posting when I find one to have it removed. I was told because people on the page didn't want competition.

I would even purchase one at this point but will not buy from a pet store. I wish I could find a captive bred hatchling but there are none in my area.

Anyway, just had to vent. There are so many reptiles in rescue I just can't believe the difficulty I am having finding a box turtle.

Thanks for reading
Linda (attached is a photo of one of my turtles at 7 years old and 4 lbs)

Hi Linda

What state do you live in. How would you keep your box turtle? Inside or outside the house?
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Jack

Hi Jack,

I live in Rockford, IL.

It would live outside as weather permits and inside during
the winter months. I am not comfortable with hibernating
them as it can easily get below zero and stay for a while. I did purchase a 6' long turtle tub for the winter months.

My aquatic turtles are out in the summer as well. They have a large preformed pond that is completely enclosed in a dog run due to the threat of predators. I live on the river so we have our share of raccoons, hawks and such so safety comes first.

Thanks, Linda

Linda,

You should check out matts-turtles.org, Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society. They have an adoption page and are very easy to work with. They do great work and I'm sure would welcome a responsible reptile enthusiast as a prospective adoptee.

It's strange how things work out. My niece called me last night
as she found out I was looking to adopt one. She had one that had not been active or eating very much for a while. I went over to see her today and it is a young female 3-toe. When I first saw her I thought she was an ornate. I jumped on the internet to see how to tell the difference and it stated that ornates have 4 toes.

I have her set up right now in a 6' turtle tub with mulch and little potted potho and fern plants. She spent most of the day outside in a temporary enclosure. My husbands got to get busy and build me a outdoor enclosure.

She is active but seems thin to me. She is about 5-6" long and weighs about 500 grams. Any idea what this size box turtle should weigh?

Thanks,
Linda

If you can put up a photo that would be helpful.
Have you soaked the turtle in a shallow pan of water?
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Yes, I soaked her yesterday when I got her home and this
morning when I soaked her she drank quite a bit. I just hope
she starts to eat soon.

I will get a picture very soon.

Linda

Linda

I hope you will buy a few box turtle books to help you get this turtle eating a good diet and housed properly. And she may be ill so please take her to a vet for a stool check.

Turtle weights vary so much by size-so it is hard to tell you how much she should weigh, but my three-toes are heavy and people are always surprised when they hold them. They should feel like a heavy rock, not an empty box. Good luck!
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Tess Cook
www.boxturtlesite.info