Box Turtle Rescue

[Brently]

I just saved a box turtle from my dog in my backyard. I know most advice is going to be to let it go, but I am afraid that I plan on keeping him for the time being. I live in North Carolina and it is getting cooler and am most likely going to hold on to the little guy till spring. Just looking for advice on how much water to have available for him and how much/often to offer food. It is an adult and I would say pretty much fully grown. Thanks for the input.

[EmbraceCalamity]

Turtles can do fine through the winter. They hibernate.

No in-depth studies have determined exactly why hibernation is necessary to the long-term physiological well being of mature North American box turtles (Terrapene sp.). But those that are not allowed to hibernate usually experience a progressive physical and mental decline.

Box turtle hibernation (http://www.boxturtlesite.info/dvmhib.html)

You really should let it go, and I hope you do.

~Maggot

[Brently]

I understand that turtles native to North Carolina can somehow miraculously survive the winter. I didn't think that they were imported each spring. I would like to keep the turtle for various reasons. I am really looking more for useful information than unnecessary lessons on turtles. Please respond with something that can help both me and the turtle progress in our mutual cohabitation. I really would appreciate tips and suggestions on husbandry and feeding. Thank you

[lady_bug87]

I would check bylaws in your area since I'm pretty sure keeping a native species in captivity is illegal in some places. If it is uninjured I would suggest releasing it in a safe location

[Valvaren]

I don't understand what about that quote by Maggot is unnessecary, I understand you want to keep it for whatever reason but after reading that it could cause him harm it seems a little wrong to want to put an animal through suffering purely because you want to keep it.

[Brently]

I don't understand what about that quote by Maggot is unnessecary, I understand you want to keep it for whatever reason but after reading that it could cause him harm it seems a little wrong to want to put an animal through suffering purely because you want to keep it.

If you read the quote and clicked the link you would have seen that there is an explanation of how to hibernate box turtles in captivity. So assuming that I am not an idiot or incompitant it is unnecessary. I appreciate any and all information. But what I asked for was dietary information. If I ask how to tune an engine I don't really want to hear tips on changing a tire. That's the point I'm trying to make. I simply want an answer to my question.

[lady_bug87]

This is a wild animal, though it was good you saved him from your dog I can not condone you keeping it. If you're keeping other herps you could be endangering them if you aren't quarantining properly.

But if you insist, here is a good care sheet I found AAHA Healthy Pet | Box Turtle Care (http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?title=Box_Turtle_Care)

[Zoo Nanny]

Had you continued to the bottom of the link you would have seen the link to "Return to Box Turtle Care and Conservation" Box Turtle Care and Conservation Webpage (http://www.boxturtlesite.info/index.html)
What better info than from a reptile vet.

[EmbraceCalamity]

If you read the quote and clicked the link you would have seen that there is an explanation of how to hibernate box turtles in captivity. So assuming that I am not an idiot or incompitant it is unnecessary. I appreciate any and all information. But what I asked for was dietary information. If I ask how to tune an engine I don't really want to hear tips on changing a tire. That's the point I'm trying to make. I simply want an answer to my question.Yes, because someone who has zero experience with box turtles should definitely try to keep a wild one in a fish tank and make it hibernate as their first experience. That sounds like a great idea.

And how do you plan on housing it?

~Maggot

[Brently]

Well seeing as I apparently am not going to receive a useful response to my original question, I will simply apologize. I am sorry that I mistakenly thought this forum was for educational purposes. I suppose I should ask permission before I buy/adopt/or rescue any more animals. Not that I need to explain why but I plan on returning the turtle to the wild the next warmer day. I would still like an answer to my original question as it may be a few days due to the weather.

[Zoo Nanny]

I gave you a link to the diet above. This link gives you everything you need to know.
Box Turtles (http://www.anapsid.org/box.html)

[lady_bug87]

Well seeing as I apparently am not going to receive a useful response to my original question, I will simply apologize. I am sorry that I mistakenly thought this forum was for educational purposes. I suppose I should ask permission before I buy/adopt/or rescue any more animals. Not that I need to explain why but I plan on returning the turtle to the wild the next warmer day. I would still like an answer to my original question as it may be a few days due to the weather.

I also gave you a resource to use. I'm sorry I didn't open it, read it for you, then explain it to you, I assumed you could read.

[poison123]

come on now guys be nice :D

[Terranaut]

Ok. Your returning it to the wild? Great. Best choice. Feed it the food in the link until then.
Glad your listening. No explanations required as you are doing the right thing. Finally we win one. So many non listeners lately it's nice this has gone the right way. Good luck. He will be fine!!

[jaleely]

I would just google some care sheets. Type in box turtle care, turtle species, etc. etc. Usually if it's an aquatic species it' needs a water filter, if it's a ground species, then heat lamp, etc that way. I'd just keep doing google options.

[StudentoReptile]

Bottom line: Do what is best for the box turtle. Not what Brently wants to do.

You saved a turtle from your dog. Fantastic. We're happy for you and there are plans underway to start burning your name on the surface of the moon. Now you have to ask yourself: what is best for the turtle?

I'm not going to tell you whether you should or shouldn't keep it. The "all wild animals should stay in the wild" debate is exhaustive. If you do keep it, you should make sure you do it right. I will tell you right now, box turtles are not easy to keep in glass tanks. They need SPACE.

One question: is this an adult boxie, or a juvenile? That can help with the diet question you had, as box turtles diet do change with maturity.

[KORBIN5895]

Had you continued to the bottom of the link you would have seen the link to "Return to Box Turtle Care and Conservation" Box Turtle Care and Conservation Webpage (http://www.boxturtlesite.info/index.html)
What better info than from a reptile vet.

How about advice from someone with actual experience?

@ Brently

I honestly have no useful advice on box turtles as I kept mine and learned by mistake til I let it go. Personally I would give it a go if you are serious and are willing to do what is necessary to keep it properly. All captive animals come from wild stock. As a matter of fact captive stock has only been available for the last 20-30 years in most herps.

Just make sure your state laws don't prohibit native species. I know several of your surrounding states do.

[Zoo Nanny]

Korbin the second link Box Turtles (http://www.anapsid.org/box.html) I gave him was from Melissa Kaplan
Brief Autobiography (http://www.anapsid.org/aboutmk/bio.html) on care for box turtles. As I only have one year experience working with them I felt her care sheet would be a better alternative.

[Terranaut]

Hes returning it to the wild in a few days so I doubt he needs any of this info anyway. He doesn't sound happy but the turtle is going back so time to dop the curtain on this one :)
Again I am glad the op is doing the right thing.

[Aaron_S]

Korbin the second link Box Turtles (http://www.anapsid.org/box.html) I gave him was from Melissa Kaplan
Brief Autobiography (http://www.anapsid.org/aboutmk/bio.html) on care for box turtles. As I only have one year experience working with them I felt her care sheet would be a better alternative.

Melissa kaplan is a fraud and not to be trusted with any real info. It's all dated and it's now known she's in with the side who wishes not to privately keep ANY and ALL reptiles.

[Jay]

Melissa kaplan is a fraud and not to be trusted with any real info. It's all dated and it's now known she's in with the side who wishes not to privately keep ANY and ALL reptiles.

Beat me to it.

[Zoo Nanny]

Good to know.

[EmbraceCalamity]

...it's now known she's in with the side who wishes not to privately keep ANY and ALL reptiles.I'm curious how that's a factor in anything?

~Maggot

[Aaron_S]

I'm curious how that's a factor in anything?

~Maggot

Who wants information that's first of all, false and who wants to support someone who's AGAINST your hobby by advocating their poor information?

[Gungirl]

I'm curious how that's a factor in anything?

~Maggot

If we allow false facts to keep being spread around then how do we help people?

we need to be able to let others know when some information or site is full of false things.

[EmbraceCalamity]

If we allow false facts to keep being spread around then how do we help people?

we need to be able to let others know when some information or site is full of false things.The part I quoted said nothing about false facts, so your response is irrelevant.Who wants information that's first of all, false and who wants to support someone who's AGAINST your hobby by advocating their poor information?Again, I wasn't talking about the info being false. That very well may be true. I'm just wondering how her personal opinion regarding people keeping herps is a factor in anything. I know of many people who feel that way, and I don't find it that objectionable, nor does it make anything they say false. If it's false, it's false. And if it's true, it's true. Her personal opinion about keeping them is irrelevant.

~Maggot

[Gungirl]

Maggot.. you are Irrelevant.

[EmbraceCalamity]

Maggot.. you are Irrelevant.http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma2ftkJh2s1qe5e4d.gif

~Maggot

[StudentoReptile]

Maggot.. you are Irrelevant.

I concur. Best post I've read all night.

Granted the night is still young, but I am not holding my breath for anything to top it. :D

[jaleely]

someone has a lot of time on their hands and thinks they're president of the debate club. it's really sad : (

[AjaMichelle]

Hi,

With respect to returning the box turtle to the wild, be sure to return it to the same area where you found it. Taking it miles away will only result in a treacherous return trip, as box turtles have strong homing instincts and do not leave the home range where they are born willingly.

Brently, if you found this turtle in your yard, your yard is likely part of it's home range, and you'll likely be seeing it again in the Spring.

If you would like to keep a box turtle, look into local turtle rescue groups. We have two native box turtle species here in NM and many turtles are turned in to a local rescue group by individuals unsuccessful with trying to keep them indoors. The group here regularly adopts out turtles to folks interested in setting up a proper habitat for needful turtles outside.

They do best outside as they can assume appropriate seasonal behavior--- hibernation, etc. It's difficult to set up the various microhabitats they require in captivity.

Here's a link to the group's site: Turtle and Tortoise Care | Adopt a Turtle | Turtle Resources | Chelonians | Turtle Club Membership (http://www.rgttc.org/)

They has some great care information. Also, with respect to feeding, don't use dog or cat food (often recommended for turtles). It can be deadly. :)

You're lucky to live in an area where turtles live naturally. :)

[Herpophiliac972]

I was on a trip, and my Aunt (who lives with me) almost ran over a box turtle. I had been taking care of a friend's RES and Painted, and so she brought it back and put it in. I came back to find that turtle sitting on the land, refusing to go in the water. I re-released him the next day, and kept him in a land aquarium overnight. He was awesome. How is the herping down there? I am going down to North Carolina for vacation this summer, and I am going to spend at least one whole day of it herping. Any tips for your region? And aquatic species need a heat lamp too, as it provides calcium that helps reptiles digest food and keeps their scales hard (with exceptions i.e. scaleless corns, softshells, but they need the calcium from the lamps). Good luck!

[EmbraceCalamity]

And aquatic species need a heat lamp too, as it provides calcium that helps reptiles digest food and keeps their scales hard (with exceptions i.e. scaleless corns, softshells, but they need the calcium from the lamps). Good luck!I think you're thinking UVB, not heat lamp. Of course, heat is important, but it doesn't do much for calcium (except keep their digestive systems working). UVB doesn't provide calcium either though; it produces vitamin D3, which allows them to absorb calcium.

~Maggot