Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

I've kept eastern box turtles as a kid but I just got myself a tiny little hatchling I'm guessing is about a month or 2 old.

He realy hides 24/7 under his substrate or hide spots. He might come out to walk around on his own approximatly once per week.

Question is: Is this normal behavior for his age? I'm just not sure if this is a sign of an issue.

I wake him up late morning daily to eat. He is eating well so no worries there.

Any replies would be appreciated...
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1.0 Ball Python
1.0 Burmese Python

they'll come out if they are hungry...usually. Which means, it may be too cold it.... That's why he hides all the time in the warm moist dirt. /the whether is getting cold right now....

Hatchlings hide. Period. It's their survival response in a world where lots of other creatures would like to eat them. It might last for a few years, or a life time. Some box turtles never become comfortable in an exposed position. I once had a wild-caught Eastern (from way out in the country) that was totally tame, not fearful of humans in the least and would spend almost all daylight hours out in the open. Your mileage may vary.

Exactly. Hatchlings are tasty bite-sized morsels for many animals: hiding is about their only defense.

Hmmm.... Mine is out all the time...at least when he/she is hungry.

Individual results may vary, of course, but hiding is definitely the norm.

If yours (hatchling) is outdoors, unprotected, and exhibiting this behavior, I wouldn't get too attached. Survival of the fittest (smartest) is a tough thing to fight. But then again, you might get lucky...

Well, he is outdoor, but I don't think any predator can get him. I just put him out a few days ago because I think he is old enough. HE bury himself a lot during first couple day, but now he comes out whenever he's hungry.

Rich_k mentions his 2 or so month old box turtles is eating with out problems, what is he eating? I have a 18 month old and three 1 month olds who have yet to eat although 1 did eat half a maggot and the 18 onth old will eat meal worms and small red worms. Just curious what baby boxies will eat or like.

thanks, alan

Mine chow down on meal worms and sow bugs - usually within 2-3 weeks of hatching.

Feed them separately, let them soak or mist them before offering food, give them small prey items such as pill bugs, small earthworms, wax worms and make sure they feel safe while their eating.

Yes so my guy is indoors for now. Eating earthworms, crickets, meal worms, and eating blood worms right now as I type.

I'm thinking hiding is normal behavior as he is small and on everythng's menu. But for instance this morning he was up and exposed at about 6am walking around his enclosure.

His temps are about 80 /- throughout the day and a few degrees colder at night.
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1.0 Ball Python
1.0 Burmese Python
0.1 Albino Banana California Kingsnake
1.0 Common Snapping Turtle
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle
1.0 Eastern Box Turtle

I understand hatchlings are primarily carnivours.

However I always offer him fruits n veg with his live food but he wants no part of it. He even spits out greens when he accidentally gets them in his mouth.

At what age should I expect him to start on greens and fruits??
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1.0 Ball Python
1.0 Burmese Python
0.1 Albino Banana California Kingsnake
1.0 Common Snapping Turtle
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle
1.0 Eastern Box Turtle

Usually by 6 months....sometimes earlier. Just keep offering as wide a variety as you can manage. It can be helpful to mince fruits and veggies and greens, then the hatchlings are more likely to ingest some 'accidentally'.

I offer veggies to my baby on his day off from eating bugs. I kept doing, being persisstant about it, and now he eats them on his on his own. They'll eventually eat it if you keep offering it...just like children. I've had him for a year and a half now and he's grown quite a bit. He has good shell, though.

If you have had your turtle for a year and a half, then it is no longer exactly what could be termed a hatchling. It is a captive juvenile, and its behavior will be different at this stage than it was when it was new to the world. It has been conditioned to expect food from you, so of course it emerges on a regular basis.

You're probably right. I usually feed him on Sunday and Tuesday the protein stuff and in between he I kept offering viggies until he eats them. And, yeah, he knows the routine. [chuckle]

He came out when he was hungry even when he was little....

He likes to much on the cuttle bone, too.

I frequently let go pill bugs, and other garden bugs in the cage. Every couple of days, I bath them, and put in Reptomin sticks to float in the water - they love them.

Bill

Totally normal. Its what they do in the wild to hide from predators. As he gets used to his surrondings, and get's bigger, he will make more frequent appearances. Continue to bath him, and feed him. Humidity is very important, as well as a full spectrum bulb.

If you keep him warm over the winter, he will grow quicker - I wouldn't try to hibernate him.

Bill

Yea no hibernation 4 the little guy. Weather is already getting cold in jersey. Don't think he'd make it. Im going to try to mince his meals better to get those vegies in
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1.0 Ball Python
1.0 Burmese Python
0.1 Albino Banana California Kingsnake
1.0 Common Snapping Turtle
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle
1.0 Eastern Box Turtle