kreagerm
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2014
- Messages
- 17
New at turtles, and I want to make sure these little guys survive. A little background about these little guys. 94 days ago my dog brought my attention to a female box turtle laying her eggs in my yard. To keep the dogs from digging up the eggs, I built an enclosure to protect them. 94 days later (yesterday) they finally decide to hatch. Worried all these predators would decimate them, I decided to care for them until next spring or summer, or until they are big enough to be returned to the wild.
Here is what I have. The substrate is a combination of soil, pine shavings and eco earth. I have a UVB light, a heating element (non light emitting) and a red light for heat, because 'the enclosure is in the basement. I have a decent size wading pool(cake pan lid). But here is my problem!!! I know they will eat when they want, but what can I do to encourage them to eat. I bought a couple different things to try like box turtle pellets (which I soaked and mashed) I have wax worms, crickets and some worms from the garden (angle worms). Do I need to cover the food?
Please critique as I want to make sure these little ones survive. (I'm going to mist them a bit right now)
Thanks,
Matt
Here is what I have. The substrate is a combination of soil, pine shavings and eco earth. I have a UVB light, a heating element (non light emitting) and a red light for heat, because 'the enclosure is in the basement. I have a decent size wading pool(cake pan lid). But here is my problem!!! I know they will eat when they want, but what can I do to encourage them to eat. I bought a couple different things to try like box turtle pellets (which I soaked and mashed) I have wax worms, crickets and some worms from the garden (angle worms). Do I need to cover the food?
Please critique as I want to make sure these little ones survive. (I'm going to mist them a bit right now)
Thanks,
Matt