Sam's indoor enclosure

Laura Campos

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Hello, I have a question about hibernation. I adopted Sam, a TTBT a few months ago and it's getting close to hibernation time. He's been through a lot and we are both trying to adapt to a whole new life together. I think he's still a bit stressed and I don't want to hibernate him this year. I'm still just trying to get him to eat properly. I don't even know if he ever hibernated before. I set up an indoor enclosure for him which measures 4'x5' with a separate enclosure measuring 2'x3'. Any advice on keeping him awake during the winter? Will he be ok?

Thanks,

Picture_20190916_074232310[2].jpg
 

Yvonne G

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It's a good idea to keep a new-to-you turtle 'up' over the first winter with you. You have to make him think the days are warm summer days and at least 12 hours long. The nights need to also mimic summer nights '- not too cold.

I suggest you figure out a way to hang those fixtures and don't use the undependable clamp feature. It might be a good idea to close off the window next to the enclosure so he's not influenced by the weather he sees out there.
 

Laura Campos

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Thanks for the info. I'm going to be adding a UVB light tube instead the UVB domed light. Do you think he will need two basking heat sources instead of one. Right now I have one CHE basking lamp. I'm really glad I found this forum. Pearls of wisdom!

Many thanks!
 

nicoble

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wow - I LOVE your setup ... one lucky Box turtle! We just adopted a rescue in less than ideal condition and the exotics vet recommended not to let her hibernate but just increase light hours ( like it was said before 12 hours minimum ... ) and keep the habitat warm. And if she does start hibernation to wake her after a month or two at the most. My vet thought that nighttime temps around 70 degrees would be ok in the winter without extra heat and having one daytime basking/ UV spot ... I am really hoping that I can convince my lady not to hibernate lol ... we are in CO so we do get lots of light and sun in the winter but ... it gets mighty cold - hey kids ... make sure the turtle doesn't see the scarves and snow pants - summer hats only ... lol
 

Pastel Tortie

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Thanks for the info. I'm going to be adding a UVB light tube instead the UVB domed light. Do you think he will need two basking heat sources instead of one. Right now I have one CHE basking lamp. I'm really glad I found this forum. Pearls of wisdom!

Many thanks!
If you want an additional option or can't get the new fixture installed as quickly as you would like, take a look at the Zoo Med Large light stand. Shop around and price match, you should be able to find it for $20 or less. Much sturdier and more versatile than clip fixture.
 

PJay

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If you want an additional option or can't get the new fixture installed as quickly as you would like, take a look at the Zoo Med Large light stand. Shop around and price match, you should be able to find it for $20 or less. Much sturdier and more versatile than clip fixture.
The Zoo Med light stands are great! Chewys sometimes has them priced at $14 and I buy a half dozen at a time. Right now they are $18 and that's still a good price. Dont even think about picking one up from one of the big chain stores that start with Pet...they charge double.
 

Pastel Tortie

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The Zoo Med light stands are great! Chewys sometimes has them priced at $14 and I buy a half dozen at a time. Right now they are $18 and that's still a good price. Dont even think about picking one up from one of the big chain stores that start with Pet...they charge double.
Well, some of those stores price match better than others. :) If someone needs a light stand immediately and can find it in stock locally, Petco will usually price match pretty much anyone else's price.

I tend to screen capture price information on my phone before I go shopping, as internet service is better in some places than others.
 

Laura Campos

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wow - I LOVE your setup ... one lucky Box turtle! We just adopted a rescue in less than ideal condition and the exotics vet recommended not to let her hibernate but just increase light hours ( like it was said before 12 hours minimum ... ) and keep the habitat warm. And if she does start hibernation to wake her after a month or two at the most. My vet thought that nighttime temps around 70 degrees would be ok in the winter without extra heat and having one daytime basking/ UV spot ... I am really hoping that I can convince my lady not to hibernate lol ... we are in CO so we do get lots of light and sun in the winter but ... it gets mighty cold - hey kids ... make sure the turtle doesn't see the scarves and snow pants - summer hats only ... lol
Thanks for the kind feedback. Sam is a rescue as well. his owner was killed in a motorcycle accident. Sam's been through quite a lot and I'm having a difficult time feeding him. He doesn't seem interested in any of the food I try to feed him. I've had him for about 5 months. Right now he gets to roam the backyard for a few hours most days and I hope he's catching bugs at least. He gets a weight check by the vet once a month. On his last visit to the vet, she noticed he is missing the top part of his beak and he has extensive shell damage that has healed over. This little guy has captured my heart and I hope he settles in and gains his appetite.
 

Blackdog1714

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Poor little fellow. Patience will be needed as he makes his adjustment. Just keep offering a varied diet and maintian positive interactions. Your status as food god will eventually be proven!
 

nicoble

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aww ... I am so glad he found a good home with you ! My girl loves loves food ... juicy Red Wiggler worms, wiggly larvae and meal worms and re-hydrated crickets ( I am highly allergic to live ones ... so I have to get them freeze dried and put them in water for about an hour before feeding ) ... she also likes little dubia roaches but ... they are a pain to contain lol ... and while I appreciate worms in the substrate ... I do not want loose roaches - hubby would not understand lol ... my girl's favorite veggie are Tomatoes and grapes and anything that is red, yellow or orange ... I shred greens really fine so they stick to what she will eat ... she loves her yellow food dish and for whatever strange reason prefers her food on there ... I know you likely tried everything under the sun ... but ... I am sure your little dude will eventually eat ... I used to breed birds and they are the same level of stubborn ... if not raised right as babies they take forever to try anything new lol
 

Pastel Tortie

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My boxie is a little over two years old now, and she has never been big on greens or veggies. Fruit she can take or leave (but usually leaves it). She surprised me a couple days ago by eating a couple really ripe blueberries I left in her food dish that morning. I gave her the most ripe ones I could find, blueberries beginning to split open on their own at the top. So keep trying and offering different foods here and there. Sooner or later, they DO surprise you.
 

Pastel Tortie

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Thanks for the kind feedback. Sam is a rescue as well. his owner was killed in a motorcycle accident. Sam's been through quite a lot and I'm having a difficult time feeding him. He doesn't seem interested in any of the food I try to feed him. I've had him for about 5 months. Right now he gets to roam the backyard for a few hours most days and I hope he's catching bugs at least. He gets a weight check by the vet once a month. On his last visit to the vet, she noticed he is missing the top part of his beak and he has extensive shell damage that has healed over. This little guy has captured my heart and I hope he settles in and gains his appetite.
Soft foods will help. Make sure you're offering a few good commercial turtle pellets (rotate between brands and days, at least until you find one or two he will eat reliably as a staple), and soften them in water to make them easier to eat.

Variety is good, ONCE the turtle is already eating reliably. Right now, it's about making sure the turtle is eating (and eating enough), period. Float some pellets in the turtle pool or soaking water. The gentle movement of the food on/in the water may encourage the turtle to take a bite at the floating "prey." You can feed the turtle earthworms in the water as well.
 

Laura Campos

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Hello,

Thanks everyone for your great feedback. Sam spent the weekend enjoying his new enclosure, checking out all the hide spots. it looked like he was even hunting around for bugs. Since he's eaten most of the bugs in the garden, I ordered some pill bugs and I plan on throwing some in his pen. he seems to like those. Funny, he doesn't like worms of any kind. He seems to be afraid of them. I've tried feeding him several different ones and he runs away from them, flicks his around or retreats into his shell. I've been providing him with a meal everyday with a variety of different foods, including high end turtle pellets. He goes up to the dish, sniffs around, moves a few things and walks away. Frustrating. Patience is my best friend right now.
 
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