Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HELP!!! I have a box turtle that I have had for three years. I took him to the vet a few months ago and she told me my best bet was to let him go. I can't do that because he's my baby. Tonight I noticed that on his belly his shell looks like brownish tree bark on the sides. Also, a distinctive indention in the middle. What can I do to make him better? What is this? ANSWER ME ASAP! thanks.

Can you post some photos of your turtle, Karly? Is he an indoor turtle or an outdoor turtle, and what do you feed him?

he's an indoor turtle that goes outside sometimes. Took him to a friends house that has a turtle to see if she can work on him a little. He eats fruits vegetables and dog food for protein. trying new things. Always put calcium powder on his food. Was told the line i see on his belly is his hinge and he needs to be out in the sun more?????

Living outside is almost always going to be a better choice if his enclosure is properly set up (places to hide, bask, and soak, escape/predator proof, etc.). There are some good threads here on diet that would be helpful to you as well. Dogfood generally has a lot of fat (and other things) that don't make it an optimum diet for turtles (some aren't even very good for dogs). Look into the Mazuri dry tortise food as a substitute.

I would disagree that turning him loose is the best thing for him, although it MIGHT be if he was released in the proper habitat. Was he hatched in captivity? And why did you take him to the vet in the first place?

I linked another source about box turtle diet that should be helpful.
Diet and Feeding Your Box Turtle

Thank you for all the info and no, he was not hatched in captivity. My boyfriend found him in the woods and he had an injured foot, so he brought him home and that's how I ended up with him. I am new at all of this and trying to learn everything so I greatly appreciate the info.