Thanks guys/gals. Wellington's advise is well heeded for sure, but I have no interest in exotic turtles, so I will file that in case I see someone else asking. In the meantime, I will report in how this develops. So far, reception has been cold.
Yvonne, yes his shell was painted. I was give...
The more I am looking into this, it seems the two turtles I have are from the same habitat, at least locally. Sure, box turtles are land and sliders are aquatic, but I live in a state that is almost all swamp, so its all gray anyway. Am I missing something?
Hey all, just wanted to upload a few shots on my turtle. He spent this winter outside as I had enough maple and live oak leaves to make a nice thick bed. Winter was mild so he actually did not spend too much time underground.
This winter, I changed out the small shallow pond with a preformed...
Well, weather has not been cooperative, but I did make some progress today...
First was a $200 trip to Lowe's. I picked up 10 cubic feet of mulch, 5 southern wood ferns (a native to the area) and s spry/misting irrigation system.
The mulch was an organic compost by the brand Hapi-Grow. I use...
Very nice. How large in your enclosure overall? Do you have another picture zoomed out perhaps. Your picture is what I think my wife had in mind.
Also, how many turtles do you have in there? I would like to get more, but am unsure about compatibility with a matured male.
Yes, but on the other hand, I get a lot more time to think things through since I can only go about half a step at a time. I also have access to several "helpers". But I try to make everything a family event. They learn and I get free labor.
Hey Johnson, very insightful. Let me address. The enclosure is half along the side of the my house and the other half extends past. The entire enclosure will have morning sun. The portion along the house will have full shade from about 1 on. The portion past the house will have direct sun...
I think I figured something out as I have some left over landscape timbers. I will rip them in half on a table saw and make a ledge around the interior perimeter with mitered interior corners. I think this will do the trick.
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks, see above, I discuss a small pond for his soaking. Mine seems to like to sleep in his water dish!
I have thought about escape. Do you think he can climb a 16" high wall though?
I am not 100% of the type. I posted another thread on that here several months back and spoke with some locals who breed box turtles. It is either a Florida and/or a Gulf Box. It is an adult male and only one. I am interested in getting some others since I am building such a large habitat...
LOL! Ok, here is my 3-yr old habitat I built last weekend from the same lumber delivery! A roof will be a future project before summer. Also trying to figure out what I want to do for a cover. The box is 6'x8' and accommodates 4 kids with trucks quite well.
Below that is the turtle pen this...
lol. Well, i have four boys. I can only work on it when they take a nap and when they settle down for the night. I do some layout work with them while they play outside with me. But the chainsaw does not come out until they go in.
I forgot to add, I am only halfway done on the landscape timbers. The chain popped off my chainsaw right before taking this picture, plus it was getting too dark to use the chainsaw anyway.
I have been a little busy building out the new pen for my box turtle. Here are some progress photos. The pen is 8'x10', with a 3'x3' triangle noticed out closest to my kids play set. The pen will receive direct sunlight in the morning and shade in the afternoon.
I dug 12" down, set a level...