𝑯𝒚𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒖𝒓𝒕

𝙰 𝚋𝚘𝚡 𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚎𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚐.

[theboxyturthyde]

⚠️ Box Turtle Information Below ⚠️

6. Creating the Correct Environment for YOUR Pet Turtle

To ensure a perfect living environment for your box turtle, please read through some of these tips.

Recommended Substrate

An equal parted mixture between these branded substrates. I recommend these products because they do not have slow releasing fertilizer.

Organic Top Soil

Sphagnum Peat Moss

Coco-Coir

Eco-Earth

Outdoor Soil

I do not recommend using outdoor soil.

The soil may be treated with chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides. It can also contain ova (eggs) from several different parasites. Ova can survive quite a long time in soil and when ingested could cause infestation.

Optimal Humidity

Make sure your substrate can properly hold humidity. Spray your substrate twice per day and make sure to mix and turn your substrate to stay evenly moist. You may also use a humidifier or tank fog machine.

To keep an eye on the temperature and humidity level you can use a dual thermometer and humidity gauge.

Plants

I personally do not recommend putting false plants in your turtle enclosure. Your pet turtle could try to ingest them and it could spark health risks.

I do recommend some of these plants.

African Violet - Saintpaulias

Air Plant - Tillandsia

Spider Plant - Chlorophytum Comosum

London Pride - Saxifraga

Prayer Plant - Maranta Leuconeura

Mind Your Own Business - Soleirolia Soleirolii

Chia Mexicana - Salvia Hispanica

Friendship Plant - Pilea Mollis

Coleus - Solenostemon

Peperomia - Peperomia Spp.

Hotas - Hosta Spp.

Boston Fern - Nephrolepsis Exaltata

Mother of Pearl - Graptopetalum

Wandering Jew - Tradescantia Fluminesis

[theboxyturthyde]

Baby Hyde has high hopes that everyone will have a very Merry Christmas!!

If you have your turtles out instead of hibernating, remember to get them some good yummy treats for any holiday you might be celebrating!!

For information on which foods are acceptable treats, look through my feed! I have a few informational turtle posts that can help with some questions you may have!

[theboxyturthyde]

⚠️ Turtle Information Below ⚠️

5. The Dangers of Releasing a Pet

If you ever feel like you want to get rid of your turtle, absolutely do NOT release it into the wild. Rehoming is always a better option. If you cannot find anyone to rehome your turtle to please take them to a local rescue or sanctuary.

"Isn't my turtle still just a wild animal?"

No!

Your turtle is a pet that relies on you for food. Your turtle could die a harsh death due to inability to adapt to the outside world.

Your released turtle could also spread diseases throughout the population or become an invasive species that causes disturbances in the natural ecosystem and kills local wildlife.

[theboxyturthyde]

⚠️ Box Turtle Information Below ⚠️

4. Wild Turtles

Note : I ABSOLUTELY do NOT condone abducting wild turtles from their natural habitat and STRONGLY advise against it.

"Can I keep a wild box turtle?"

The short and simple answer is no. Please research and consider all information before purchasing or capturing a turtle.

Wild turtles may die of stress upon rehoming and relocation into your home.

Wild turtles are not people friendly and may cause harm to you.

Wild turtles carry parasites and illnesses.

Wild turtles are a part of a larger ecosystem and removing them from their home could cause stress on the environment.

"What do I do when I find a wild turtle?"

If it has sustained noticable injuries please take it to the nearest wildlife rehabilitator or local animal shelter for more assistance.

Otherwise, leave them be.

"What about turtles that need to cross the road?"

Help them cross by picking them up safely and taking them to the direction they were traveling.

Make sure to put them a decent distance away from the road.

"How do I carry a turtle to make sure it's comfortable while I transport it to the other side?"

The best way to carry a turtle is by holding them with your hands underneath their shell.

[theboxyturthyde]

⚠️ Box Turtle Information Below ⚠️

3. Feeding Tips

If you struggle with feeding your turtle certain foods, here are some common tips to ensure they have a balanced diet :

Soak leafy greens or pellets in tuna juice.

Offer live feedings such as earthworms.

Blend together desired foods with your turtle's favorite food.

Walk away and leave your turtle in a safe environment alone with the food for approximately 30 minutes.

Remove contents of their favorite food and stuff them with desired foods.

Feed them only desired dieting foods rather than treats regularly.

[theboxyturthyde]

⚠️ Box Turtle Information Below ⚠️

2. Soaking

Under one year should be soaking in water daily. Over one year should be soaking 2-3 times per week. Soaking should only last 30 minutes per soak.

"Why should my turtle soak in water?"

Soaking your turtle is great for hydration and can help keep your turtle's enclosure clean. It also causes intestines to contract which is a tremendous aid for digestion.

"What do I use to soak my turtle in?"

Choose a container that is large enough to ensure your turtle cannot escape.

Soaking Process

Make sure your turtle can comfortably touch the bottom of the soaking container while inside without struggling to keep their head above water.

Ensure the water is 80-82 degrees farenheit.

Supervise and monitor regularly to make sure your turtle is safe.

Change the water upon turtle defecating.

Medical Soaking

1. Carrot Soaking

Carrot soaking should be considered when your turtle has:

Vitamin A deficiency

Eye irritation

Chlorine irritation

Dehydration

Lack of appetite

Is lethargic

"How do I make a carrot soak?"

You can buy organic carrot juice and mix it with water. Make sure the mixture portions are 75% juice and 25% water. Heat the mixture to at least 80 degrees farenheit.

DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE!

Stir to get an even temperature throughout the mixture.

- OR -

Blend carrots and water together. Heat with no microwave to 80 degrees farenheit.

2. Veggie Soak

Veggie soaking should be considered when your turtle has :

Vitamin A deficiency

Lack of appetite

Dehydration

"How do I make a veggie soak?"

Buy organic baby food vegetables and mix with water. Make sure the mixture portions are 50% vegetables and 50% water. Heat the mixture to at least 80 degrees farenheit.

DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE!

Stir to get an even temperature throughout the mixture.

- OR -

Blend fresh veggies with water. Heat with no microwave to 80 degrees farenheit.

[theboxyturthyde]

⚠️ Box Turtle Information Below ⚠️

1. Diet

When caring for a box turtle, please ensure you're feeding it the proper diet. In these lists, I will give some examples of proper dietary needs and at the end I will list foods you should NOT give your turtle! Ensure you read through this thoroughly before making decisions on what you should feed your turtle!! Cuttlebone should ALWAYS be available for your turtle and a form of calcium should be given 2-3 times weekly.

Amount of Feedings According to AGE :

0-1 YEAR : Daily

YEARLING : Every Other Day

ADULT : Every 3 Days

Should consist 60% protein and animal matter such as :

Butterworms

Sowbugs

Superworms

Beetles

Crickets

Wax Worms

Crayfish

Silkworms

Earthworms

Nightcrawlers

Calci-worms

Dubia Roaches

Feeder Fish

"What types of feeder fish are SAFE for my turtle to eat?"

Swordtail

Endlers

Mollies

Platies

Mosquito

Guppies

Should consist of 20% vegetables such as :

Carrots

Sweet Potatoes

Okra

Winter and Summer Squash

Should consist of 10% leafy greens such as :

More information on goitrogens below, but feed these listed with (goitrogen) moderately. Limit them to 2-3 times a week at most to ensure a balanced diet.

Dandelion Greens

Mustard Greens (goitrogen)

Collard Greens (goitrogen)

Turnip Greens (goitrogen)

Red Leaf Lettuce

Green Leaf Lettuce

Romaine Lettuce

Kale (goitrogen)

Escarole

Arugula (goitrogen)

Should consist of 10% fruit such as :

Mango

Papaya

Berries (treat)

Grapes (treat)

Apricots

Kiwi

Cantaloupe

Honeydew

Plum (treat)

Pear (treat)

Watermelon (treat)

Banana (treat)

Apple (treat)

Peach (treat)

What NOT to feed your turtle :

Some foods on this list are high in oxalates. Feeding oxalates will result in calcium deficiency in a short period of time.

Goitrogens are chemicals that interfere with iodine intakes by suppressing the functions of the thyroid. These foods listed should not be given.

Other foods listed can be TOXIC to your turtle.

Tomato (toxic)

Cabbage (goitrogen)

Avacado (toxic)

Broccoli (goitrogen)

Peas (oxalate)

Peppers (toxic)

Celery (oxalate)

Cauliflower (goitrogen)

Corn (oxalate)

Onion (toxic)

String Beans (toxic)

Spinach (oxalate)

Brussel Sprouts (oxalate)

Purslane (oxalate)

Parsley (oxalate)

Feeder Fish such as :

Goldfish

Spottail Shiner

Emerald Shiner

White Suckers

Rosy Red Minnows

These fish can cause Vitamin B1 deficiencies. If left untreated can be FATAL for your turtle!

For more box turtle information follow : theBoxyTurtHyde.tumblr.com