All Turtles Message Board

CMMK · Guest Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 1

I found a baby box turtle a while ago after a really big storm we had. He’s only about the size of a half dollar coin. I’ve never had a turtle before and have been reading a lot of information online about taking care of them. I’m just trying to get peoples opinions and find out if I’m taking care of him well and what else I might need to do for/with him. I also have a few questions about some things he’s been doing recently.

Right now: Smile

-I have him in an open aquarium right now with the bed-a-beast flooring.
-There some brush type stuff and big dried leaves for him to hide/dig in.
-I put a few plugs of grasses in his tank.
-He has a small shallow pond but it’s deep enough to almost cover him completely.
-He has a nighttime warming red light.
-I have temperature and humidity gauges in his tank.
-I check the temp/humidity often and mist him when needed.
-I’ve been feeding him every couple days.

Questions: Smile

-I have a UV light for him but everytime I turn it on all he does it hide from it and won’t come out until I turn it off. He’s active with the nighttime warming light on but not the UV one. Does anyone why he does this and what I should do? I’m concerned about him not getting any of the D vitamins he needs from the UV.

-I’ve been feeding him only worms and bugs because when we first got him that’s all he would eat,we tried everything else but he only wanted to eat something that moved. How do I get him to want to eat something else that doesn’t move so I can give him a better diet?

-He’s been active until recently. It’s a little cooler here now but not that much difference in his tank temp. Now he just hides or buries himself in his tank and when I look at him he is in his shell and has his eyes closed. But mostly I’m concerned because he doesn’t seem interested in worms or anything to eat anymore. Why is he like this and what do I do? I just want to make sure he is eating.

I don’t live anywhere near a vet or near any animal place that might be able to help me. I only have online to try to find help with this stuff. Any help anyone can give me on this stuff would really be appreciated. Thank you. Smile

clc4912 · Level 1 Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 21

What is the current temperature of the tank? I have a wood turtle that hibernates every year and begins by burying himself and sleeping most of the day until finally completely hibernates. For some time before he does this completely, he will stop eating. You can try by increasing the temperature in the tank. The heat lamp works great, but you may possibly consider an under tank heater where he generally sleeps.

When the temperature here begins to warm up, I turn the under tank heater back on to make sure that he does not try to continue to hibernate when the weather is not condusive to hibernation.

My turtle is not generally active when he thinks that he is being watched. I would leave the light on and he will get used to it. Try leaving him alone with the light on. If you do happen to see him show some activity with the light on, try to stay a distance away so he does not feel you watching him.

Young turtles are more interested in protein than vegetation which is why he is only eating live creatures and ignoring the vegetation. Don't get too alarmed if it does not eat every day. This is something that is common when stressed. Try keeping him in a place that does not get a great deal of foot traffic to allow for some solitude.

It sounds like you are off to a great start with your care. You seem to be doing much better than many first starting out.

I also have aquatic turtles and there is a significant difference in the two. My aquatic turtles are very outgoing and will come to the front of the tank when they see me. My wood turtle is just the opposite. He seems to want to be left alone most of the time and I have had him for several years. Sorry for being so long winded. Good luck.