Eastern box turtle questions.

[JenTy7203]

We are considering an EBT baby. My question is, is it really that much more difficult than a Iberian Greek. We have crested geckos and are used to the whole humidity thing, we understand the diets are different with the EBT & the greek.... Just not sure why everyone says the EBT is hard to care for.
We have been reading books and online for about 6 months.
Just when we get it narrowed down, we keep going back and forth between these two.
EBT is native to our area, so we thought that it would enjoy our weather when it is old enough to go outside.

Any thoughts?
Than you in advance

 

[luvpetz27]

Hi and welcome!
I have easterns!!
I did not have them when
they were babies tho. Mine are
adults and very easy to take care
of! Hopefully someone will reply
that knows more about baby ebt's.

 

[JenTy7203]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

---

Would you say they are very difficult? Have you owner any other turtles or Tortoise before, just curious

 

[surie_the_tortoise]

the biggest thing for babies is to have somewhere for them to dig into to hide . not hay but a dirt , water is a must also . they like their worms and animal protien as babies, more then as adults . Do your research before getting any animal .

 

[JenTy7203]

the biggest thing for babies is to have somewhere for them to dig into to hide . not hay but a dirt , water is a must also . they like their worms and animal protien as babies, more then as adults . Do your research before getting any animal .

Yes, doing tons of research as I do with any animal I plan to purchase. Been researching for months.
I keep getting conflicting info from all sources. Looking for some straight awnsers to help our final decision.
Eveytime I think I have read or been told the correct info, I read or hear different.

 

[bmt123]

I have two easterns they are my first turtle. The only thing is it is almost mandatory to keep them outside at least in the summer

---

That only applies to adults though

 

[terryo]

Hatchlings are hard to keep for beginners, as they dehydrate very easily, and need more care then older Box Turtles. I try to mimic the forest floor as best I can, with hatchlings and any that can't go outside. I usually keep hatchlings in a planted vivarium, with soil mixed with lots of leaf litter for substrate. Plenty of plants will keep in the humidity they need. I don't use hide's for hatchlings, but put long fiber moss with leaf litter on top under the plants. They usually dig under plants where they feel protected. I throw in lots of pill bugs and small red wigglers for them to find on their own. A water dish pushed into the substrate so it's easy for them to climb in and out of. I use a long tube 5.0 UVB, and a low wt. heat emitter. Low light, warm humidity, and places to dig in and hide.
The same set up, only much bigger would do for an older turtle. Just how I do things, not written in stone.
The best place, of course, is outside in a predator proof turtle garden, or enclosure.

 

[JenTy7203]

Thanks.... Do you mean dehydrate very easy? Just want to be sure I am understanding

Hatchlings are hard to keep for beginners, as they hydrate very easily, and need more care then older Box Turtles. I try to mimic the forest floor as best I can, with hatchlings and any that can't go outside. I usually keep hatchlings in a planted vivarium, with soil mixed with lots of leaf litter for substrate. Plenty of plants will keep in the humidity they need. I don't use hide's for hatchlings, but put long fiber moss with leaf litter on top under the plants. They usually dig under plants where they feel protected. I throw in lots of pill bugs and small red wigglers for them to find on their own. A water dish pushed into the substrate so it's easy for them to climb in and out of. I use a long tube 5.0 UVB, and a low wt. heat emitter. Low light, warm humidity, and places to dig in and hide.
The same set up, only much bigger would do for an older turtle. Just how I do things, not written in stone.
The best place, of course, is outside in a predator proof turtle garden, or enclosure.

 

[terryo]

YEs, sorry about that. I meant "dehydrate".

This is the best site for raising baby turtles. Lots of pictures and information to help you. You can also contact Tom any time and he will answer any of your questions. He also has the best looking turtle garden and vivarium set ups. I love this site.
http://turtle_tails.tripod.com/raisingbabyturtles/raisingbabyturtles.htm

 

[JenTy7203]

Awesome! Thanks for that.

YEs, sorry about that. I meant "dehydrate".

This is the best site for raising baby turtles. Lots of pictures and information to help you. You can also contact Tom any time and he will answer any of your questions. He also has the best looking turtle garden and vivarium set ups. I love this site.
http://turtle_tails.tripod.com/raisingbabyturtles/raisingbabyturtles.htm

 

[JenTy7203]

Thanks.... Do you mean dehydrate very easy? Just want to be sure I am understanding

Hatchlings are hard to keep for beginners, as they hydrate very easily, and need more care then older Box Turtles. I try to mimic the forest floor as best I can, with hatchlings and any that can't go outside. I usually keep hatchlings in a planted vivarium, with soil mixed with lots of leaf litter for substrate. Plenty of plants will keep in the humidity they need. I don't use hide's for hatchlings, but put long fiber moss with leaf litter on top under the plants. They usually dig under plants where they feel protected. I throw in lots of pill bugs and small red wigglers for them to find on their own. A water dish pushed into the substrate so it's easy for them to climb in and out of. I use a long tube 5.0 UVB, and a low wt. heat emitter. Low light, warm humidity, and places to dig in and hide.
The same set up, only much bigger would do for an older turtle. Just how I do things, not written in stone.
The best place, of course, is outside in a predator proof turtle garden, or enclosure.

The long tube bulb... Like 18"' 24", etc.. Correct, not a compact florescent. (I know to stay away from the spiral ones)
Thanks a again.

 

[terryo]

Yes, I use the 18 in. for a 40 gal breeder tank. I also use the 24 in for the 95 gal. that I have my little Cherry Head in. And I forgot what size I use for the 195 gal., but it's bigger. I change the bulb every year or when I see it's getting darker, like a black spot. Some people change it every 6 months. I just changed the 18 in. and it cost me $15. where I live.

 

[JenTy7203]

Yes, I use the 18 in. for a 40 gal breeder tank. I also use the 24 in for the 95 gal. that I have my little Cherry Head in. And I forgot what size I use for the 195 gal., but it's bigger. I change the bulb every year or when I see it's getting darker, like a black spot. Some people change it every 6 months. I just changed the 18 in. and it cost me $15. where I live.

Cool! Thanks

 

[Millerlite]

They arnt to bad getting them to eat is difficult with babies. Tortoises you put any type of food they tend to eat and eat as much as they can assuming they arnt sick. Box turtles can be opposite sometime won't eat for weeks once they do get eatin they then become picky eaters, diet is the hardest part about box turtle, the. Habitat. High humidity lots of digging room, and lots of room in general, I found not all box turtles but a lot will stress if kept in small enclosures outdoor enclosures are a must for the future, either way tho no species is hard if you provide the right habitat and do research, you will find tho how stubborn box turtles are, you will then discover how non stubborn your little Toetoises is. Haha