Box Turtle and Tortoise Discussion :: Might adopt

[chrisinva]

I put an ad on craigslist looking for people who needed to give up a turtle

I got a hit from a woman who has an (unknown type) of box turtle which is around 9 years old and needs a home badly...

I have an empty 30 gallon (which I just got a stand for) that I will keep her in if I get her

Is this adoption a bad idea??

[Terryo]

I don't think so. You might be giving an unwanted boxie a good home. 30 gal might not seem like much to some, but if you do your research, you can set it up to mimic the woods where it might have come from. I wonder what kind it is. Post some pictures if you get it.

[chrisinva]

I sure will...I hope to get her Saturday morning

[untsmurf]

Let us know and post pics!

[jenaero]

If it's 9 years old, it needs a 4' x 4' enclosure. A full grown boxie should not have to live in a 30gal tank. I think first you should find out what kind of boxie it is, so you'll know if you can give it the care it needs. Secondly, you could build an enclosure for him without spending too much.

[megcornell]

I thought that boxies weren't supposed to live in aquariums. I might have my facts mixed up though.

If it were me, I'd keep the 30g available for when one of the RES needs it, and get a boxie-specific set up for the new guy or gal.

[chrisinva]

I am going to end up building a small outdoor enclosure for her....I might get a large rubbermaid tub to keep her in for winter....The owner said she will fit in the palm of her hand...I'm hoping she is an Eastern Boxie

[Terryo]

Outside is the best for any land turtle, but if you can't, most people will tell you not to put it into an aquarium. In my opinion, if it is a forest dwelling species, an aquarium would keep in the humidity much better than any storage bin or wood table. I keep my Three toed in a 75 gal planted vivarium. I tried everything else, and just found this was the best way to go. I know boxie breeders that keep their hatchlings and juvies in planted vivariums. Of course this is only for hatchlings and juvies. Adults always do better outside, if it is possible. When my Ornate was sick, I kept her inside for the winter in a planted vivarium. She comes from a drier climate, so most of the humidity was in her hide.
This is my Ornate, Nora. She is over thirty years old.




Little Thrree Toed in a 75 gal planted vivarium. She will be going outside this coming Spring.

[chrisinva]

Very cool habitat you have there...Thank you for sharing that

What exactly is a planted vivarium??

Is a 3 toed box turtle the same as a Florida Box turtle??

I was looking for a caresheet

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-flboxie.htm

[jenaero]

For a 3toed, you can use the Eastern Boxie care sheet.

[chrisinva]

I have asked myself many questions about this adoption

1. Is the turtle in an ideal enviroment right now ? NO
2. Can I provide a better enviroment right now ? YES
3. Are you willing to spend as much time and money as it takes to make an ideal home ?? YES
4. Do you know a lot about the species? NO but I am willing to study study study
5. Are you giving good care to the 2 turtles you have now ? In my opinion Yes

I would not take her in if she was in a perfect situation and put her in a bad one

I am excited to adopt her in the morning...Hopefully she trusts me enough to let me take her home

[jenaero]

As long as #3 and #4 are your priorities, you should be fine.

good luck

[Terryo]

Good questions and good answers. Don't forget to post pictures.
A planted vivarium is just an aquarium that has enough substrate that you can put plants in it. Mine is just a 75 gal. There are planty of places to hide under plants and deep enough soil that she can dig under if she wants to.

[chrisinva]

Good questions and good answers. Don't forget to post pictures.
A planted vivarium is just an aquarium that has enough substrate that you can put plants in it. Mine is just a 75 gal. There are planty of places to hide under plants and deep enough soil that she can dig under if she wants to.

It looks like you have a background on reverse so the turtle sees the image?? Is that what I'm seeing?

[Terryo]

The background is on the back facing into the tank and also on the sides, and 6in. across the front. I can see in, but they can't see out. I think it is supposed to cause less stress.