Welcome!I am new to this forum and I am new to turtle too. I just pick up(rescue) a wild Malayan Box Turtle on a road. Now keeping him indoor and his size is about 9 inches.
Hi Lisa,
When i saw him, he was on the middle of high traffic road. There is no jungle near by that area, it is a city, full of offices and high rise building.
When i see the turtle i can't just leave him on the middle of the main road.
Regards,
SIM
I believe this OP is in SE Asia, probably Malaysia. This is not a wild US turtle, nor in the US.I am a state licensed wildlife rehabber in Nebraska. Most states have laws against picking up wildlife and keeping them. My suggestion would be to contact a rehabber in your state, explain the situation, and let the rehabbers decide what to do with the turtle. They will either release it back into the wild or decide to keep it for a period of time then release it.
The Malayan Box Turtle is a turtle which does normally prefer water over land. They are much more aquatic than American Box Turtles. They also do indeed prefer eating in the water. Be sure to set it up in a habitat that is at least 1/2 water area. Most recommend shallower water, but they will do great in deeper water as long as there are not steep sides. I like to think of them being able to walk out of the water - so no vertical sides. If set up properly, it will probably spend the bulk of its time in the water, not on land.Thank you for creating this new thread.
Thank you everyone for comments, really appreciate all of them.
So far i do not apply coconut oil to him, i just feel like not necessary.
He is eating well, i giving him pellet, dry shrimp, dry meal worm and some fruits.
He does not eat on ground, he only eat when i soak him in water. I give him daily soak between 1 to 3 hours. I feed him when he is in water.
I also drop some multivitamin into the soaking water every time i soak him. I am also giving him natural sun bath probably 3 hours a week.
I will continue feeding and soaking him on daily basis while monitoring his progress. He has been 2 weeks with this living style. From my observation he is less stress and his appetite is getting better. I will try to feed him with more variety of food.
In my local pet store, i can't find much products for turtle. I am also planning to give him calcium powder.
Will update again.
The Malayan Box Turtle is a turtle which does normally prefer water over land. They are much more aquatic than American Box Turtles. They also do indeed prefer eating in the water. Be sure to set it up in a habitat that is at least 1/2 water area. Most recommend shallower water, but they will do great in deeper water as long as there are not steep sides. I like to think of them being able to walk out of the water - so no vertical sides. If set up properly, it will probably spend the bulk of its time in the water, not on land.