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Hey all! I’m new here and I’m a new turtle owner! I have my Boxie in a 40 gallon tank that has several different temperatures throughout (I bought an infrared thermometer) all between 70 and 100° (hundred ° in the basking spot 70 in the cool spot 83 in the spot she likes to hang out in…) She barely moves from her spot all day long I’m concerned that she is sad is there anyway to know? Is this normal? Also I notice she doesn’t drink very much water and only goes in her water when I put her in it is that normal? I am feeding her grapes tomatoes and three meal worms every day is that enough ??? Thank you all!!!
 

PJay

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100F is way too hot for a box turtle in a 40 gallon tank, it will avoid that area. It's good to provide a temperature gradient, but it should range from 84f to 70f. Please post a picture of your habitat and equipment so we can see how to improve it.
 

lisa127

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How old is the turtle?

Also 83 is much more comfortable than 100. No surprise that's where he's hanging out.
 
Joined
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Hey guys! I will post a picture of the habitat as soon as I get home! Thank you so much for your input I can’t wait to hear more… I have the UVB light as the basking light and I think that’s what makes it so hot in that area, how can I make sure she gets UVB light without making it hotter in there?
 
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Here are some habitat photos guys, moved the lights up so it wouldn’t be so hot now it’s 84 in the warmest 72 in the coolest. Is 4 meal worms a day in calcium powder enough food? I also leave her grapes and tomatoes witch she sometimes eats but only a few bites.
 

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PJay

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Here are some habitat photos guys, moved the lights up so it wouldn’t be so hot now it’s 84 in the warmest 72 in the coolest. Is 4 meal worms a day in calcium powder enough food? I also leave her grapes and tomatoes witch she sometimes eats but only a few bites.
Your temps are much better now. It looks a little dry in there. Add more water to the substrate, enough that the coconut coir will ball up when you squeeze it in you hand.
 

Millerlite

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Thank you Coleen what a great article!! Gonna try out the suggested diet here
What diet are you planning on now? Your set up is a little to dry too. You need to keep humidity up. As mentioned above temps are high. They like it not super hot, even cool compared to other turtles and tortoises. Also more hides. As a younger box turtles they are shy and scared of everything. You need to provide more hides. Cover like moss is always nice.. not peat most put the string moss. I would say a bigger enclosure too, but you can make the 40 work for a little bit. Box turtles arn't huge but they do require more room then people think.

Kyle
 
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What diet are you planning on now? Your set up is a little to dry too. You need to keep humidity up. As mentioned above temps are high. They like it not super hot, even cool compared to other turtles and tortoises. Also more hides. As a younger box turtles they are shy and scared of everything. You need to provide more hides. Cover like moss is always nice.. not peat most put the string moss. I would say a bigger enclosure too, but you can make the 40 work for a little bit. Box turtles arn't huge but they do require more room then people think.

Kyle
Gonna use omega turtle sticks combined with carrot , red headed lettuce cut up fine and yellow squash , and some berries and earthworms instead of mealworms , I spray the substrate everyday but it dries up really fast , should I just soak it with more water since it dries up so fast? Was thinking of putting a plant In there too as a hide and to provide moisture.
 

PJay

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I’m not sure how old she is, is there a good way to tell?
Not really. They present growth rings on their scutes but they are not annual, more periodic based on food intake. They could add a few growth rings per year depending on how often they are fed. A wild turtle could add one to three rings per year and a captive turtle could add as many as five or more as food is more readily available.
 
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