Shell concern

Chinotootoo13

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I just inherited 6 three toed box turtles. Not very savvy on turtle stuff but definently have found a love for it. After looking at forums and chats etc. I'm still not sure what the shell should look like and would like some help with gender. 20190820_191257.jpeg20190820_191216.jpeg20190820_191147.jpeg20190820_191145.jpeg20190820_191110.jpeg20190820_191027.jpeg20190820_185440.jpeg20190820_185548.jpeg20190820_185725.jpeg
 

Chinotootoo13

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I dont know how this works, and I dont want to impose on anyone.... if there is anyone out there that can take a look at my new addition to my family, I want to make sure that these lil ones get the best care possible. please and thank you
 

Chinotootoo13

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just inherited 6 three toed box turtles. Not very savvy on turtle stuff but definently have found a love for it. After looking at forums and chats etc. I'm still not sure what the shell should look like and would like some help with gender.
 

jsheffield

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The picture of the turtle's plastron seems to show some shell rot... this can be cleaned off by gently scrubbing with a toothbrush and some warm water (unless it's stubborn, in which case you can use since white vinegar); once cleaned, you can treat the shell with some athlete's foot cream from the dollar store.

Jamie
 

Chinotootoo13

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The picture of the turtle's plastron seems to show some shell rot... this can be cleaned off by gently scrubbing with a toothbrush and some warm water (unless it's stubborn, in which case you can use since white vinegar); once cleaned, you can treat the shell with some athlete's foot cream from the dollar store.

Jamie
Thank you for those helpful tips... well it clean off right away or is this over time ?
 

jsheffield

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It may take few days to clean off the white crud... a week of treatment with the cream should take care of the fungus, then the shell will heal over time.

J
 

ColleenT

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the one who's tail/vent area i can see is a male. It appears that there are a few feamles, but would need the underside of the tail/vent area to tell you. You only have one photo like that.
 

Yvonne G

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I dont know how this works, and I dont want to impose on anyone.... if there is anyone out there that can take a look at my new addition to my family, I want to make sure that these lil ones get the best care possible. please and thank you
"The best care possible" would mean letting them out of jail and into a much larger, safe and escape-proof outdoor enclosure. The rabbit hutch is much too small for them.
 

Chinotootoo13

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thank you for your advice. I live in apartment in the covina hills and I am surrounded by all sorts of wildlife.. the enclosure is out side .....this is the biggest I can get ....
"The best care possible" would mean letting them out of jail and into a much larger, safe and escape-proof outdoor enclosure. The rabbit hutch is much too small for them.
 

katieandiggy

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thank you for your advice. I live in apartment in the covina hills and I am surrounded by all sorts of wildlife.. the enclosure is out side .....this is the biggest I can get ....

I’m really sorry to say this but I think it’s quite cruel to keep 6 box turtles in that environment.
I’m just being honest with you. That is not the kind of enclosure that they need.
 

Chinotootoo13

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Thank you for your honesty... I thought this would sufficient due them being in a backyard in a stone enclosure 4x4 dark corner of a yard....
I’m really sorry to say this but I think it’s quite cruel to keep 6 box turtles in that environment.
I’m just being honest with you. That is not the kind of enclosure that they need.
 

Revasius

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Good afternoon! I've kept and cared for box turtles of all kinds for many years and would love to make some suggestions for your clan of turtles! While I do agree with the other posters that your enclosure is way too small for six adult boxies, there are some relatively inexpensive things you can do in the meantime to help make their environment and husbandry better, until you are at a point where you can upgrade the enclosure.

1.) Box turtles enjoy and medically benefit from being able to soak in a shallow dish of water from time to time, so I would provide at least two large soaking dishes (big enough for 1-2 of the turtles to fit at the same time) once or twice a week. There's no need to spend $30 on a reptile-specific bowl... any smooth, shallow dish will work nicely. I personally have gone to the thrift store and purchased glass Pyrex dishes before... usually less than $5 and they're super sturdy.

2.) Since that corner is super dark and box turtles need 12+ hours of UVB light exposure a day, I would highly advise you to invest in a UVB strip light fixture. It will probably run you about $80 for a quality fixture and bulb, however, $80 one time and then $20 or so every six months is far cheaper than vet bills for six turtles with Metabolic Bone Disease. Amazon is a great resource for fixtures... I have seen people purchase $15 "under-cabinet lighting" fixtures, mount them to the top of the vivarium, and then just purchase the UVB bulb.

3.) Diet is fairly crucial for boxies. I'm not sure what you're currently feeding, so I'll just give you the basics in case you already have this covered. This is the diet I personally used for three-toeds as well as Easterns, ornates, etc, and they all have lived to 20+ years old with zero diet-related health issues. I'm sure other posters will have their own input as well. I used to feed mine on a rotating schedule, so some days they went without food. Since you have 6 turtles, it is crucial to ensure each turtle gets enough food, and isn't bullied. I'd advise you to pick up 6 different size-appropriate glass or ceramic plates from the thrift store (if you don't want the reptile-specific ones) and making salads on each one.

Pellets: Most of the ones sold in pet stores are garbage, and full of unhealthy additives. If you really need to feed pellets, I'd recommend the Mazuri crocodilian diet, soaked in water until the pellets become soft.

Vitamins & calcium: Reptile-specific multivitamin (Reptivite) sprinkled on salad once a week, calcium with D3 on salad every other feeding. Calcium on insects every other feeding.

Protein: Mealworms, crickets, Dubia cockroaches, and/or waxworms dusted with calcium, every third day. 1/4 can of grain-free, high-protein cat food per turtle every 2 weeks. 1 frozen-thawed pinky mouse per turtle. (If you have Walmart where you live, you can sometimes get the higher-quality cat food for around 40 cents/can when it goes on clearance).

Fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, chopped apple, chopped pear, banana.

Veggies: Shredded summer squash, chopped cucumber, chopped zucchini.

Greens: Dandelion greens, collard greens, Romaine lettuce, green/red leaf lettuce, turnip greens, mustard greens.

None of the fruits and/or veggies alone should constitute a complete diet... when I say "salad", I mean "salad". Lots of leafy greens on the bottom, yummy fruits and veggies on the top, and a generous sprinkling of calcium.

I hope this helps, and that you're eventually able to get your boxies into a bigger enclosure. Until then, just focus on making sure the rest of your husbandry is A+. If you'd like links to specific products or more advice, feel free to respond in this thread or PM me.
 

ColleenT

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This is my outdoor enclosure for 4 three-toed box turtles. i would not get any more. this is 16ft x 6-8 ft. . You need a lot more room or you need to find them a different home. Box turtles need a LOT of room.

turtpenrecent_zpsgy4nz1aa.jpg
 
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