I recently acquired 2 eastern box turtles from a family who was neglecting them and was not giving them proper care or nutrition. They were severely underweight, with long beaks and nails, and were being fed dry cat food. They had a heat lamp, but no UV bulb. They also had no opportunity to burrow, and a very small water dish. I've since filed their beaks down, gotten them on a diet of soft turtle food, the occasional nightcrawler or recently deceased fish or pinkie mouse, fresh fruits and vegetables, and box turtle pellets, and have moved them into a bigger home with a dirt and reptibark mixture as a substrate. They also have a UV bulb now. What is the proper temperature to keep them at? Also, they like to fornicate a lot - how would i go about making the environment suitable for mating?
I heard that they were a species in danger of becoming extinct. I also read in a book about turtles that it was illegal to keep them in captivity. Is this true? Where? More info please?
2006-10-31 04:06:33 · 6 answers · asked by JillyBean 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Try http://www.boxturtlesite.org or http://www.austinsturtlepage.com for good info on these turtles.
They are illegal to CAPTURE in most of their range, and babies under 3 or 4" are illegal in many places- both other than that they are usually OK.
I applaud your desire to help them, and hope you take the time to research their needs well. Austin's Turtle Page has excellent care articles, and the Box Turtle Site has lots of good info on the species in general.
2006-10-31 16:13:57 · answer #1 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are Box Turtles Endangered
2016-11-08 02:32:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal in New Jersey and Pennsylvania without a special permit that says you can that they are hard to obtain. Maybe other states too, I don't know.
2006-10-31 04:19:12 · answer #3 · answered by theresacra 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In many states-you cannot keep animals native to that state as a pet-call your local wildlife agency to find out.
2006-10-31 04:35:44 · answer #4 · answered by cayusecrazy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
every kid in the us has probably kept a box turtle at some point. they arent illegal to have.
http://boxturtlesite.org/faqturtle.html
2006-10-31 04:11:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i raise box turtles, if you will email me i'll get some more info from you and help you set up for breeding
Loollea @Yahoo.com
thanks
2006-10-31 21:02:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, they are endangered.
2006-10-31 20:15:14 · answer #7 · answered by Martin the baby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋