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Old 11-12-03, 01:45 PM   #1
LISA127
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Question best substrate for box turtles

I'm looking for a new substrate for my box turtle. Has anyone found anything that they feel works good for these guys?
Thanks.

Btw, this would be for the indoor winter cage.
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Old 11-12-03, 01:53 PM   #2
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I use several inches deep of cypress mulch myself. I pull out the big chunks and they seem to enjoy burrowing down into it.

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Old 11-23-03, 03:47 PM   #3
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i would put some hay in there
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Old 11-23-03, 08:42 PM   #4
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I've used cypress mulch and hay. I bake the mulch before I use it. Or you can keep it in the deep freeze. Warm moist Cypress mulch has a reputation for bacterial growth. Hay and washed coconut husk is also a favorite of mine.
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Old 12-06-03, 01:44 PM   #5
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I've experimented with different subtrates for a long, long time. I now use a mix of organic potting soil, peat moss, sphagnum moss and sand. This is kept moist enough where it will clump together. I keep the substrate 10 inches deep. I find this mix to be superior to anything else when it comes to captive husbandry of N.A. box turtles. I also provide them with plastic paint trays as water dishes.

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Old 12-06-03, 04:38 PM   #6
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Sounds really neat Chris. Do you have any pics of these set ups?
Cheers,
Trevor
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Old 12-06-03, 04:57 PM   #7
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Hey Trevor,

I'll post some pics as soon as possible...no camera right now...damn thing broke and I'm shopping for another one.

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Old 12-06-03, 07:59 PM   #8
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Nice, Chris... I use the plastic paint trays as well. Works great, eh.
Anyway, I use organic soil, sand and spagnum moss.


Cheers,
JJ

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Old 12-06-03, 09:47 PM   #9
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Thanks Chirs. I'm looking forward to the pics. RES were my first herp when I was 11 or 13 and I never lost interest in turtles. As a matter of fact during my second year of University I actually moved into the dorm with two adult female RES. Long story short I sort of want to get back into turtles but I don't want aquatic ones. I much prefer land turtles like the box or small torts like the Russian but I know very little about their care.
Thanks,
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Old 12-07-03, 10:52 AM   #10
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Thanks everyone. This organice potting soil mix sounds good. My question is, is it safe for the turtle to hunt for worms in this? Or do u need to worry about them ingesting it?
Thanks much.
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Old 12-07-03, 11:15 AM   #11
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I use hay. Works fine for me and its very cheap
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Old 12-07-03, 11:31 AM   #12
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Do you have any pics Chuck?
Thanks,
Trevor
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Old 12-07-03, 11:44 AM   #13
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No, actually I have no interest in turtles. I occasionally find an injured one while road cursing for snakes and I attempt to rehab them. Usually within a month or so they are strong enough to return or they have expired, so I really have never kept them long tern. I have a huge Rubbermaid. I use hey as the general bedding and put a small Rubbermaid in with potting soil. I put night crawls in the soil. Also keep water on the other side. I used to use just soil, but they dirty the water daily on that set up and I do not have a lot of time for maintenance. This set up works much better for me.
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Old 12-07-03, 02:27 PM   #14
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that's interesting, maybe ill try that
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Old 12-07-03, 02:56 PM   #15
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Thanks for the info Chuck.
Cheers,
Trevor
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