|
Health Care for Box Turtles
A box turtle’s needs are few and if properly cared for, it is a gentle and enjoyable pet. They like many types of food and will eat insects and various meat products as well as fruits, berries and vegetables. All box turtles need access to water, both for drinking and for soaking. Water must be clean and shallow. Box turtles can and do swim but only for very short distances. They will tire and drown if water is too deep and they can’t get out.
The five types of box turtles range across the United States from Maine to Florida, along the Gulf coast to Texas and throughout the Midwest. The ornate box turtle occurs as far north as the Dakotas and as far south as Mexico.
Box turtles differ from other species of turtle in that the plastron (bottom shell) is hinged, which allows it to close up tightly, like a box, when it is frightened or threatened in any way. Box turtles can live a very long time, instances of box turtles living up to 123 years of age have been recorded. They have friendly natures and learn easily to come to their owners when food is offered.
Box turtles must have live food such as mealworms, earthworms, crickets, snails and slugs. They enjoy berries, melons and most vegetables. Green leafy vegetables should be offered frequently. Box turtles can also eat small amounts of canned dog or cat food and sometimes cooked meat. Vitamin supplements are usually unnecessary if a balanced diet is offered.
Sunshine is absolutely essential to box turtles. They may spend hours basking, especially in spring after hibernation and in fall before they bury themselves to hibernate throughout the winter months. However, shade also must be made available, as well as places in which to hide. Box turtles like to bury themselves under leafy debris deeper and deeper into the earth for hibernation as cold weather approaches. During this time they may go as deeply as two feet into the ground. In areas that get irrigation or consistent watering during the summer months, the ground water may be to high creating too moist an environment for hibernation. Box turtles can be hibernated in boxes in a shed or other protected outside area. Supply dry leaves or towels for the turtles to bury themselves in and create an appropriate environment.
Box turtles can be kept easily outdoors in small garden enclosures which have been prepared similar to the natural habitat. Access to clean shallow water, soft soil, areas of sunshine and shade and places under low shrubs, or beneath rocks or logs to hid will provide a box turtle with a pleasant environment. Along with a nutritious and varied diet, such an area will provide a home which maintains your turtles in good health. In return your box turtle will keep your garden free of crickets, roaches, slugs and snails.
Box turtles can be fed daily, although most feed them every other day or 2-3 times weekly. They will not eat at low temperatures and likewise cannot digest food well at low temperatures.
Any box turtle, which as recently been ill should not be allowed to hibernate. Hibernation results in a general decrease in overall resistance of the turtle. Consequently, latent or chronic illness in a hibernating turtle is given an opportunity to establish a foothold and create more serious and even life-threatening disease. Hibernation is not necessary for the health and well being of the box turtle. Unlike regular sleep, hibernation involves a more prolonged period of inactivity accompanied by a substantial decrease in metabolic activity, both of which enable the animal to survive periods during which environmental conditions are relatively harsh.
Newly acquired box turtles should not be allowed to hibernate until their health status has been accurately determined. Hatchling box turtles should not be allowed to hibernate until after their 2nd or 3rd year of life. Box turtles can be kept from hibernating by maintaining their winter temperature 5-10 degrees higher than their summer temperature. Under these conditions, box turtles will usually appear somewhat sluggish.
The hibernation period begins with turtles decreasing their appetite in October or November in Arizona and ends in March or early April, depending on environmental conditions in the spring. Box turtles may be allowed to hibernate in the corner of a dog house or other similar shelter if they are allowed the ability to burrow under some loose cover. Dead leaves or towels can be provided for this purpose. The area should be free from run off from winter rains.
Box turtles may emerge during warm spells during which time they may need to drink. Water in a shallow dish for soaking should be provided. Box turtles hibernating outdoors should be protected from flies, ants and predators such as dogs, cats, and coyotes.
Sexual maturity in box turtles occurs at about 4 to 5 years of age. Male box turtles have reddish colored eyes while females have eyes of brown or gray, sometimes yellowish colored in ornate box turtles. The lower shell or plastron is concave in the male and flat in the female.
Mating begins in spring and continues most of the summer. There is increased activity in the fall prior to hibernation. Female box turtles can lay fertile eggs for up to 3 years from one mating.
Females lay their eggs in a shallow hole dug by their back legs. The site is concealed by drawing bits of debris over the area and left alone. Eggs hatch after about 60 days depending on location, temperature and moisture. In Phoenix it is late August rains that trigger the hatchlings to emerge. The hatchlings require live food to stimulate them to eat. Growth during the first several years if very slow and is completed in about 5-6 years.
If the habitat is adequate sickness is rare in box turtles. But respiratory diseases do occur periodically seen with bubbling discharge from nostrils, watery or swollen eyes and labored breathing. This condition can be fatal and should be seen to by a veterinarian. Other concerns are shell or skin lesions that can draw flies and become infested with maggots or infected. Swollen eyes can also indicate a vitamin deficiency and should be treated professionally. Severe injury can be caused by dogs using box turtles as play things so turtles should be housed away from possible predators. The upper jaw or mandible in a box turtle can sometimes overgrow and may need to be trimmed to allow good access to food.
The box turtle is not a difficult creature to care for when the habitat is carefully constructed for environmental needs, comfort and safety.
|
