Against my better judgement we are keeping him for awhile. We fed him earth worms today, which he loved, and we have veggies on hand. We also got turtle food from the store.
My question is how do I keep him used to his natural environment and happy? We won't being keeping him for long, a couple of weeks tops. His habitat is a fish tank with dirt in the bottom tall grass to hide in and it seems like adequate space for sleeping and some of the day. If I take him out in the grass outside and let him forage around will he stay used to the environment? I don't want to hinder his natural senses but I don't want to release him just yet. We have ducks and something has been carrying them off. If it can do that to a duck it can surely do it to a turtle.
2007-06-25 12:41:32 · 5 answers · asked by Smartie_Pants 5 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Do they make a special shell paint or do you just use normal paint?
2007-06-25 13:00:54 · update #1
They need a large land area, UVB lighting, and a basking heat light with correct temperatures in order to digest and metabolize food. They need a variety of vegies and fruits, as well as insects. A small pool to drink from and soak in whenever they want. Either invest in all of the above and take proper care of him, or release him. See http://boxturtlesite.org for great info!
2007-06-25 15:15:37 · answer #1 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
UVB lighting is an essential for box turtles for at least 8-12 hours daily, for the Vitamin D is necessary for proper digestion. A good heat bulb is nice, too. They should have a day heat of about 90-96 degrees, and a night time heat of about 78-84. You really don't want to keep this turtle in an aquarium, for he will see through it and try to climb through the glass to get further in his destination. This will eventually drive him nuts. Try a dark coloured tote that he can't see out of. Earth worms are good, but not too nutritional. I have an ornate box turtle, and she loves her Super Worms, and the weekly pinky mouse. Sounds kinda morbid, but they love them, and its an added source of protein. Also, try some Kale, Mustard Greens and Carrots. Since box turtles are mostly meat eaters, stick with Super Worms, Wax Worms, or Giant Meal Worms. Crickets are also fun, for they actually have to "hunt" for them. A good substrate is a soft dirt mixed 50-50 with sand so they can burrow. Try to mist the area a couple times a day, for humidity is good for the shell. You definately don't want to use regular household paint. If you look for an "aviary-safe" paint, that should work. Let him out during the day, but turtles ARE quick and can disappear quickly, but if he likes his environment, he will stay.
2007-06-26 02:48:39 · answer #2 · answered by karizmakaliko 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A fish tank with dirt in the bottom?
Shell paint?
If you intend to keep this turtle, you need to read some basic books on turtle care. It sounds like you have a lot to learn, more than you'll get here.
2007-06-25 22:42:59 · answer #3 · answered by markwedloe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had a lot of turtles over the years, mainly ones from the road that I didnt want to get killed lol. I would raise them until their health was good and then let them go where I knew I might see them again. (I'd place a certain color of shell paint on them to mark them) I've stumbled across a few that I've marked and they were healthy as can be, unhappy with me picking them up to check, but happy none the less. lol
you cant kill a natural instinct. and it you let him go near your house, if possible, if hes unhappy he'll return to a place with sure food.
2007-06-25 19:49:57 · answer #4 · answered by Dawn M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The longer you keep it the harder it will be for it get used to being back in the wild again when you do decide to release it.
Kind of how its harder to get back to reality after a month long vacation versus a three-day weekend.
2007-06-25 20:09:10 · answer #5 · answered by Mimik 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋