my neighbor gave me a box turtle

[turtlebabe8874599]

sorry i havent been on but i just got a box turtle and im alomost completley clueless so ill be on ALOT again......
im so use to aquatic turtles i never even thought about the care of a box turtle. all ask questions in another post cause ima see what info i can start with

[turtlebabe8874599]

okie here i go
IM PRETTY SURE ITS EITHER AN EASTERN OR AN ORNATE BOX TURTLE i cant really tell

1.what should i feed him/her?
2. how big on an enclosure do i need?
3.how big and deep should i have the water bowl?
4. can they climb good?



ill ask more later

[DebbieB]

Hmmm.....don't really know.  I know sweeturtle, patman and JaredGrizz have box turtles (or at least I think they do).  The only thing I know is not to put them in an empty aquarium.  You need some sort of box table, or is it going to be an outside turtle?  I have heard that they are good climbers.  If you post a picture it might help us identify him.  BTW - Welcome back and don't be a stranger.

There is a sticky topic that outlines their set up and another one that gives suggestions on edible plants, both of those sections will help you out.

[BKrazyH]

Debbie covered it pretty well (with the sticky topics). I just want to add that we DEFINITELY want pics!! And congratulations on your new boxie! I assume the neighbor DIDN'T find it in the yard???

[Charlie98]

One of my customers has 2 turtles.... well, 1 boxie and an African Tortise (I think.)  They are kept outside in an inverted wire dog pen.  They DO dig so keep that in mind.

[turtlebabe8874599]

Debbie covered it pretty well (with the sticky topics). I just want to add that we DEFINITELY want pics!! And congratulations on your new boxie! I assume the neighbor DIDN'T find it in the yard???

no i dont think so i think he bought it somewere.
but he finally got tired of it and gave it to me.

ummmm ill go and read the sticky topics now....... BUT ILL BE BACK

[turtlebabe8874599]

do they eat grasses because i put some grasses in with him.

[BKrazyH]

I have no clue how accurate this info is, but you know enough about aquatic turtles to weed out inaccurate info just by using logic. Perhaps this website will help you...

http://www.boxturtlesite.info/

[turtlebabe8874599]

okie dokie thanks you guys thats i THINK all of my questions for NOW

[JaredGriz]

The box turtle site is good.

Lots of vegetables, some furit (10% of diet) ; protien in measure, in the form of insects and earthworms.  Some vegetables are not recommended, such as spinach.  I think the Box Turtle Site has a list of good and not so good stuff.  I add calcium in the form of powdered cuttle bone once a week.  Mealworms are fattening and addictive - don't introduce them.  No raw meat, no beef or pork.  Boiled skinless chicken breast can be used occasionally.

Tough love may be required to get him/her to eat right if they haven't been fed properly.  They are a lot like kids in that they lock in on certain foods, like fruit or meat worms and ignore everything else.  If that's the case you can mix in their favorite food with good stuff and gradually reduce the favorite food over a period of months.

Box turtles do better outdoors, but if your climate is getting cold now, indoor digs are better until you can move them outside in the spring.  They need to experience about 14 hours/day of uvb in the form of sun or a lamp, othewise they may exhibit hibernation behaviors.  Make sure they have a few options for to get into the shade (micro climates).  A shallow water dish should be provided for drinking and soaking.  Clean it daily cause they like to poo in their water

[turtlebabe8874599]

http://www.boxturtlesite.info/

my boxie is definitly a ornate (western) and is a girl  now named Autumn.

[JaredGriz]

Beautiful name!   Have you posted pics yet?

Ornates can stand a little more protein in their diet since they are thought to be more carnivorous.

[turtlebabe8874599]

Beautiful name!   Have you posted pics yet?

Ornates can stand a little more protein in their diet since they are thought to be more carnivorous.

not yet :( uncle borrowed camera