Wayne, I am happy to think this turtle (yes, a three-toed) has finally found someone willing to find out what he needs and who will make the effort to give him good care. I don't know what he has eaten before, but he may be fixated on only a few food items, in which case you will need to work long and hard with him to change his habits. I have info in my online book about picky eaters.

Please go to my website and look at the link on the left side that says "Box turtle care A to Z". There you'll find up-to-date information about diet and housing.

Take it slowly, even though he needs his beak and claws trimed. He is likely dehydrated and has not been fed well. Once the turtle has had a few months of good humidity, food and water, you can address his beak and nails-unless you see he cannot eat properly due to his overgrown beak.

Once he is adjusted to your care and the good food and humidity has helped moisturized his beak, you can begin to trim them. I use a dremel tool on beaks (clippers are NOT good as they can crack the beak). The claws can be cut with a dog nail cutter-care taken not to cut the quick.
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Tess Cook
www.boxturtlesite.info

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