How Should I Care For My New Box Turtle?

Question

I've recently received what appears to be a box turtle. I say appears, because it hasn't tried to bite me, nor anything else yet. I've set up a decent habitat for it. I've given it food, [Lettuce, carrots] and a little dish bowl. I've set up the turtles box to where he has the option of coming into the light, or staying in it's small little cave section i've made for it. I'm assuming it's a boy, and I'm naming him Bowser. Which is ironic, because he's pretty small, but not a baby. Not the point. Anyway, I read that new turtles won't eat for the first few days they are introduced to their new habitat. Though i've read this, I'm slightly afraid the turtle won't eat at all for whatever reason. As far as I know, turtle food is tomatoes, lettuce, hot dogs, tuna fish or carrots. Mainly vegetables.

Any tips? Advice, anything at all would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I may have misunderstood you, but it sounds like you are keeping this turtle in a vivarium or tank. Box turtles should be housed as for tortoises on a tortoise table with basking and UV lights, or better still, weather permitting, in an outdoor enclosure. They need a good deal of room to roam.



If this is a hatchling or young juvenile, it will tend more to the carnivore, turning omnivore as it gets older.



Go to http://www.chelonia.org/care.htm for more information

Answer 2

Is your turtle a young one or an older one? younger box turtles tend to be more carnivorous, meaning lots and lots of protein. They also like live wriggly food so meal worms,night crawlers, earthworms, pill bugs AKA roly polies and such. they can also eat greens and fruits and vegetables, stay away from all lettuces since they have little to no nutritional value. YOu might want to try trout chow, a feed store or bait store should sell it is high in protein and the fishy smell should attract it.

Answer 3

Don't try to feed him hot dogs!



The only lettuce that should be fed is Romaine lettuce. Are you sure it is a box turtle?



Here is an excellent caresheet for box turtles (all box turtle care is the same)

http://austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-easternboxie.htm



I have 3 boxies and they are very personable once they get used to you.

Answer 4

I even have an Asian container turtle. Her tank setup is amazingly uncomplicated and he or she's the simplest puppy I ought to save up after. container turtles are semi aquatic so make confident the water bowl is significant adequate for her/him to greater healthful into ( 9 in around cake pan) and espresso adequate for her/him to circulate slowly into. My container turtle not often relives itself on her bedding yet likes to pass in her water bowl. I sparkling her water bowl usual and supply her freshwater. She loves loves loves loves meal worms and grapes, yet merely those on my own will provide your turtle the runs. on account that she is wild, pellet foodstuff is out of the question. yet some crickets to have hop round her tank, meal worms , in basic terms some, for her foodstuff bowl, feeder fish for the water bowl, lettuce, grass.....permit it circulate slowly around exterior of the tank for 0.5 hour or so, supervised of direction, each night. And if it particularly is large and heat exterior, permit it hit upon the backyard, if achieveable. make confident he/she is eating adequate. you do no longer elect an underweight turtle. Many well being issues can take place. in case you're extreme approximately protecting the turtle, congrats. Take it to the vet to make confident it would not have mites or the different nasty well being issues. And the vet can permit you comprehend the turtles gender, too! reliable success, and have exciting mutually with your new turtle!