xx~new amphib enclosure~xx - Page 2

Chris Steele · 06-05-03, 08:12 AM

It is best to keep box turtles outside. It is more natural for them. It may be slightly more trouble for some people to maintain an outside cage, but if you want your turtle to be happy, I think its best. I have kept box turtles for about 5 years.

I recomend having alot of small plants in it. You could plant them yourself or just build it overtop of some plants. A nice thing to add is a little peice of roof shingle or a small cut of plywood, worms will be under it so your turles will get a little extra food. I recomend keeping part of it covered so that they can stay out of the rain if they like.

Make a large water hole, I use a 5 gallon bucket that I cut the top off of. Its about 6" tall so I made a little cement ramp up to the top for EZ access and an EZ way out for them. I cut a small hole in the bottom and ran a pipe through the ground so I could drain it and clean it without digging it out of the ground.

If anyone has anything else they would like to know about box turtles, you can just PM me or email me.

Dozer · 06-08-03, 04:57 PM

I had box turtles over the years as well. And boy oh boy was it an experience. Make sure you put chicken wire a foot or two under the ground to prevent escapees

Also, make sure you have soemthing that covers the top of the enclosure to prevent unwanted raccoons or neighbours cats or pets from access into the pen. I liked to put growin' strawberries into the enclosure as well as raspberry bushes and little tomatoe cuttings. This is great for foraging. Every night , I would hunt worms in my backyard, and dump what ever I found into the enclosure. I had mulch as my top substrate 6 inches of my 7' by 5 ' enclosure. Dumpin' the worms in the pen would encourage them to stay within the mulch layer, and at night the worms would come out and boy did the boxies enjoy that. As well, make sure you have a water spot, and somewhere where good sun is provided for at least 4 hours. ALl of this taken into consideration, you and your boxies will have a great time

Emily-Fisher · 06-08-03, 05:12 PM

I wouldn't reccomend housing ANY herps together. I have kept a community tank with only tree frogs for a year now but it needs <i>lots</i> of work(And I'm talking about at least an hour a day!) Especially in a rubbermaid...imo, housing any amphibians in a rubbermaid is stupid. But that's just my opinion..

CyberGhost · 06-08-03, 05:57 PM

Umm okay I'm now just blubbering at the creen in amazement that emily posted hir!!! She's so hott I think I have a crush. Hope you dont mind emily!!! blubber blubber

17730turtlegirl · 06-13-03, 12:44 PM

i would sugest 2 orange belly newts and a pair of common tree froge (the kind u get in your backyard pond) i have kept these for years with the only problem being if your frogs are underfed they will nip at the newts tails but no or little harm done

Dozer · 06-13-03, 02:37 PM

NO NO NO. People, Its not a matter of HOW Much time you can put into housing species together, DONT DO IT. For the benefit of you and your animals, dont screw around. NO MIXING ANYTHING.

Phil Beaudoin · 06-13-03, 04:01 PM

Yes you can mix certain species of amphibians together. I wrote a huge post but then I stopped and restarted as the various possiblities and combinations are somewhat mind boggaling, and for someone that does not have alot of experience working with frogs, other amphibs, and other herps, It's stupid to try mixing. I personally have done it twice. Green anoles with a tiger salamander, and casque headed tree frogs with whites tree frogs. These worked fine but its never exactly right, there's always slight differences and compromises that must be made and its just not worth it. If you're seious about keeping herps don't mix them. I find its easier to observe, breed, and enjoy same species tanks.

As for rubbermaids for amphibs, their great. Although for small species of tree frogs they can usually crawl out of the sides near the lid. The opaqueness of the enclosure, I believe, provides and muffled vision of the surroundings of the animal which most likely aids in preventing the stress of seing people and things move by the tank.

---------Thanks,
--------------------Phil Beaudoin