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View Full Version : OT BabyBox Turtle

David MC Lee
09/20/2009, 10:32 AM
If anyone has raised baby box Turtles let me know. We have 6 that just hatched and 1 more that might make it.
syrinx
09/20/2009, 11:14 AM
What do you need to know? I have hatched out hundreds of turtles and tortises, and if I don`t have your answer- I know people that will.
David MC Lee
09/20/2009, 03:04 PM
We don't plan to keep the turtles long term. We have one lady who lost her pet turtle this summer and may try to give her one. I'm not sure what to do with the rest. I'm going to talk to my neighbor tonight who works at the UI vet. and she if she can find a good home for them. I just thought it would be nice to get them a head start. I just don't want to give them them to someone who does not know how to take care of them.
syrinx
09/20/2009, 03:31 PM
Yeah I have to be hard line with them being native species. I would not give them to people, and rather release them. I have no doubt that the vet student will find people that want them, even though it is not ethical. Dr. Mark Mitchell at the U of I is one of the best herp vets in the united states. Mike Pingleton is one of the most knowlegable lay persons on turtles in the area- either one of them could help you greatly on care- or release options. They are fairly demanding babies to care for- get some good UVB flo lights on them as soon as eggsack is absorbed.
David MC Lee
09/20/2009, 03:39 PM
The eggsack are almost gone just a small 1/4" nub remains.
syrinx
09/20/2009, 04:03 PM
and cuter than all get out i imagine!
David MC Lee
09/20/2009, 04:54 PM
Yep. We saw the mother back in June, she sat in one spot for a few hours. We though she must be laying eggs, we just left here alone and after she left we put a cage around the area. I read it would take 60-90 days for them to hatch. After 100 days we decided to dig them up. The ground was so hard like a rock and they were 2" under the dirt. I just don't see how they would have dug there way out. 6 of the 7 were out of there shells and the 7th was smashed a bit and we are not sure if his is alive or not. The other 6 seem to be doing great.

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