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box turtles
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by gaboonviper4 on September 19, 2008
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i hatched out box turtles this year. born yesterday. how long will it be before the will eat, they are drinking water now. and what do i feed them?
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RE: box turtles
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by Cro on September 19, 2008
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Ronald, congratulations in hatching out the box turtles.
In the wild, they eat a variety of foods. Most of them will readily eat earth worms, vegatable things like black berries and rasp berries, mushrooms, etc.
I even found one once eating a dead bird.
They will do better if they are offered a variety of foods. Try all kinds of fruits and insects, and if you decide to offer them meat, try organ meats like heart and liver.
Some folks feed them on canned dog food or cat food.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards John Z
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RE: box turtles
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by Cro on September 19, 2008
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When they are first born, they are still absorbing the yolk sack, so really do not need food for for a week or two.
I would start offering food after a week, and if they do not eat it, then try again every two or three days.
Eventually, they should start eating.
Some of the folks here who have worked with many turtles might be able to add more help.
Best Regards John Z
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RE: box turtles
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by BigBend66 on September 19, 2008
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Keep them in 4 inches out potting soil, sand mix and load the inclosure with earth worms. The worms will survive until they decide to eat..
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RE: box turtles
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by gaboonviper4 on September 19, 2008
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i am keeping them in a 10 gallon and moist paper towels for right now is that the right thing? (i am new on turtleslol sorry for all the questions) i have been taking them to work with me because 1 of them keeps fliping over on its back, is that normal?
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RE: box turtles
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by agkistrodonkeeper on September 19, 2008
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I used to be into turtles big time. Mainly box turtles. I have hatched many babies in the past.
After they hatched, I offered them a variety of mixed fruits and vegetables after a week or so. Cut up some fruits and veggies into small pieces, and you can also add in some various greens.
Stay away from lettuce as it has no nutritional value.
Use the lid off of some type of Tupperware container as a plate for the food. Set it in the tank and they should find it.
Be sure to change the food daily as it will start to attract small flies.
I have found that box turtles love tomatoes.
Hope this helps some and good luck with your new turtles!!
Anthony
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RE: box turtles
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by ssshane on September 19, 2008
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I keep box turtles as well. I find that the younger they are, the more they lean towards meat. Earthworms are great, slugs work well also. As well as blackberries, cantaloupe (sp.?), strawberries, and many others. Mine don't seem to care for squash, carrots, or peaches. Good luck with the babies!
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RE: box turtles
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by theemojohnm on September 19, 2008
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Aside from venomous, I have kept a wide variety of things in the past, including a still somewhat existant love for turtles.
I agree with Shane and Collin's post.
Juvy box turtles seem to be pretty insectivorous for a while.
Earth worm, night crawlers, or other small insects seem to be what they are most willing to readily take at first. I am sure if you found some native berries, fruits, or edible plant material, they would probably eat that aswell.
Although I would recomend trying to stimulate a feeding response at first, by offering them wriggling worms or larva of some sort.
Like alot of neonate snake species, they seem drawn more to a visual cue for feeding response at a younger age. They might not readily accept ANY food for 2-3 weeks though. By this time, as John mentioned, the nutrients in the yolk sack should be used up, and they will start to eat for the first few times on their own. This is nothing to be alarmed about, as turtle/tortoises can fair well as scavengers, taking whatever food they get aong the way.
Congrats on the clutch!
Good luck with them!
Take Care.
~John.
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RE: box turtles
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by BigBend66 on September 20, 2008
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No, that is not ok. Keep them in potting soil so that you can keep EARTH WORMS in there as well. As long as the earth worms are in the aquarium then they will be good until they decide to eat.
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