You are aware that N.A. Box turtles like your [SIZE=-1]Terrapene carolina are not water turtles? And if it's warm outdoors your turtles would be much happier there then inside.
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My Eastern Box Turtle, Joey
- Thread starter Abi88
- Start date
Yes I am aware that they are not water turtles-I/we never "make" them go into the water it is always up to them. We also have an outdoor pen for them-it is around the pond and garden(was first put up for the little cousins) and they LOVE it!! As do the cousins(only to watch 'corse). And yes they are ALWAYS happier outside (not now 'cause of the weather{in norther Idaho its COLD already.})Vicious_Fish;1286860;1286860 said:
OK guys sorry I didn't reply right off
am trying to get more-and better-pics of both
first off wouldn't your say that this Ornate Box Turtles T. o. ornata is the same species as Sunni?
also-they are both kept inside for the winter-Sunni is in an RV with my little sis and mom is southern Utah-so she goes out in her pen on nice days, and has a tank with all the proper bedding for inside. And Joey is with me in Northern Idaho, so there is no need to state that it is too cold for him outside. He has the allowance to run around in my bedroom (no other animals are in so it is completely safe), or he can climb into his tank with bedding that is ready for hibernation(if he wants, he didn't hibernate at all last winter, just kept coming out for his worms/strawberries and greens.)
am trying to get more-and better-pics of both
first off wouldn't your say that this Ornate Box Turtles T. o. ornata is the same species as Sunni?
also-they are both kept inside for the winter-Sunni is in an RV with my little sis and mom is southern Utah-so she goes out in her pen on nice days, and has a tank with all the proper bedding for inside. And Joey is with me in Northern Idaho, so there is no need to state that it is too cold for him outside. He has the allowance to run around in my bedroom (no other animals are in so it is completely safe), or he can climb into his tank with bedding that is ready for hibernation(if he wants, he didn't hibernate at all last winter, just kept coming out for his worms/strawberries and greens.)
Get us a nice close up pic of Sunni so we can tell you for sure.
I've always kept my Eastern Box Turtles outdoors all year long here, but that's because they are native to where I live and they hibernate in the winter. There have been some studies done on them that conclude that regular yearly hibernation is strongly recommended. Without it they can become stressed and in turn it often times shortens their lifespans. For some reason they just need a cooling period even if it is only for a couple of weeks. It's also important to not feed your box turtles a couple of weeks before hibernation because they can't digest food when the temperatures dip into the 50's. I like to soak my box turtles in warm water to help speed up digestion a couple weeks before they start looking for a place to dig in.
I also raised Gulf Coast and Three-Toed Box Turtles. Now these guys I brought indoors in the winter. I kept them in my dads unheated workshop in the winter. I've also heard of people keeping them in garden sheds and garages. The temperatures in the workshop got down to between 40-50 degrees during the coldest parts of winter. They were provided about a foot deep area of leaf mulch to hide in and would often sleep for about a month or so. When spring approached I would use a space heater to warm the room up and then use a heat lamp to keep them warm till I could move them outdoors again. You can read more about hibernating Box Turtles from various sites that don't involve keeping them outdoors. If you have any questions I'm more then happy to help.
I've always kept my Eastern Box Turtles outdoors all year long here, but that's because they are native to where I live and they hibernate in the winter. There have been some studies done on them that conclude that regular yearly hibernation is strongly recommended. Without it they can become stressed and in turn it often times shortens their lifespans. For some reason they just need a cooling period even if it is only for a couple of weeks. It's also important to not feed your box turtles a couple of weeks before hibernation because they can't digest food when the temperatures dip into the 50's. I like to soak my box turtles in warm water to help speed up digestion a couple weeks before they start looking for a place to dig in.
I also raised Gulf Coast and Three-Toed Box Turtles. Now these guys I brought indoors in the winter. I kept them in my dads unheated workshop in the winter. I've also heard of people keeping them in garden sheds and garages. The temperatures in the workshop got down to between 40-50 degrees during the coldest parts of winter. They were provided about a foot deep area of leaf mulch to hide in and would often sleep for about a month or so. When spring approached I would use a space heater to warm the room up and then use a heat lamp to keep them warm till I could move them outdoors again. You can read more about hibernating Box Turtles from various sites that don't involve keeping them outdoors. If you have any questions I'm more then happy to help.
V_F Thanks for the tips
I will have a more natural set up for them once I have my own place. Yah I knew about not to feed becaues the food will have the same problems as it does in hibernating fish, but thanks for the tips!!
When I go to set up a Turtle habatat I will be sure to get ahold of you!!
I will have a more natural set up for them once I have my own place. Yah I knew about not to feed becaues the food will have the same problems as it does in hibernating fish, but thanks for the tips!!
When I go to set up a Turtle habatat I will be sure to get ahold of you!!
Vicious_Fish;1293618; said:Get us a nice close up pic of Sunni so we can tell you for sure.
I've always kept my Eastern Box Turtles outdoors all year long here, but that's because they are native to where I live and they hibernate in the winter. There have been some studies done on them that conclude that regular yearly hibernation is strongly recommended. Without it they can become stressed and in turn it often times shortens their lifespans. For some reason they just need a cooling period even if it is only for a couple of weeks. It's also important to not feed your box turtles a couple of weeks before hibernation because they can't digest food when the temperatures dip into the 50's. I like to soak my box turtles in warm water to help speed up digestion a couple weeks before they start looking for a place to dig in.
I also raised Gulf Coast and Three-Toed Box Turtles. Now these guys I brought indoors in the winter. I kept them in my dads unheated workshop in the winter. I've also heard of people keeping them in garden sheds and garages. The temperatures in the workshop got down to between 40-50 degrees during the coldest parts of winter. They were provided about a foot deep area of leaf mulch to hide in and would often sleep for about a month or so. When spring approached I would use a space heater to warm the room up and then use a heat lamp to keep them warm till I could move them outdoors again. You can read more about hibernating Box Turtles from various sites that don't involve keeping them outdoors. If you have any questions I'm more then happy to help.
