Help/Advice wanted

[OrangeSpider]

Hi! First post. I don't want to get tooooo into the backstory, but just enough to help with any feedback from you guys I recently became the caretaker of 2 tortoises very unexpectedly, and for how long is kind of known, but perhaps I might be keeping them. Anyways, I truly am an animal lover in general, and want to give these guys an enjoyable "retirement" as I call it. So these 2 boys (Biggie and Smalls) I am told, are around 30 years old. They had been living in this aquarium tank, and I was told to basically just make sure they have water/food.




I really could not take how narrow the aquarium was, so the first thing I did once I realized I was going to have them for a few months at least, is I decided to try to re-purpose a bookcase to give them more space. I also added some substrate, and a light fixture (the light is not pictured below):



The main reason I am posting is because Biggie got a white spot on his shell. You can see it in the top 2 pictures, but more closely in the picture below. It seems to be getting worse / I see a small one beside it now too. My only guess is that especially in the aquarium (where I first saw the spot), Smalls used to always corner and hump / stack Biggie. This has gone down TREMENDOUSLY since they have more space, FYI. Like, I actually don't see it happen at all anymore. And also, I do know that it is suggested that 2 breeds/species should not share an enclosure, but this is how they have always lived and came to me. It doesn't seem to be an issue (anymore).



Here is a closer picture of Smalls just to say hi:



So, that's my story. Any advice on the white spot? Shell care? Any other info you guys would need? They were kept in room temperature conditions 24/7, with just "human-room" lighting during the day. I now have them in my sun room, so they get some natural light and I added a light fixture that i turn on during the day. But I still have a lot to learn about temperature and ... moisture? Also, the green lining is a nightmare, so any substrate ideas would be appreciated. Basically, anything - I am here to learn! But mostly concerned about the spot lol Please be nice though, I am trying my best in this situation, I promise.

Quick Edit: I have been in touch with the owner about all the changes I made, and told the owner about the white spot.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

Did the owner indicate what type of "tortoises" these are?
I'm thinking "turtles" would be more appropriate.
And I bet they would both appreciate a soak (separately).

 

[OrangeSpider]

Did the owner indicate what type of "tortoises" these are?
I'm thinking "turtles" would be more appropriate.
And I bet they would both appreciate a soak (separately).

No, the owner said they did not know what kind of tortoises they were. I just assumed Tortoise was correct based on their word. I have 2 water bowls in the enclosure that they sometimes sit in for a bit, usually to use the bathroom it seems. I could google how to soak them beyond that, though! Thank you.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

No, the owner said they did not know what kind of tortoises they were. I just assumed Tortoise was correct based on their word. I have 2 water bowls in the enclosure that they sometimes sit in for a bit, usually to use the bathroom it seems. I could google how to soak them beyond that, though! Thank you.

You're better off with the information here on the Forum.
Let's see if we can get a good identification on what kinds of turtles these are.
@Yvonne G @Markw84 @enchilada @Toddrickfl1

 

[OrangeSpider]

Thank you! I am happy to take more pictures of their legs/feet if that helps, just let me know!

 

[Toddrickfl1]

The smaller one looks like a Box turtle and the bigger one im pretty sure is an Ornate Wood Turtle.

 

[wellington]

They are box turtles and should not be housed together. They need a water dish big enough to get into. They need a natural substrate all over not just a corner. They need uvb light and if possible an outdoor enclosure for warm months and each a bigger indoor enclosure.
If you don't keep them do not give that aquarium to the new owners, that was just animal abuse keeping them in it. Thankfully you knew better and made a change.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

Thank you! I am happy to take more pictures of their legs/feet if that helps, just let me know!

How about some pictures of the plastron (bottom side of the shell) and the tail from underneath? We may be able to help out with who is male or female.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

The smaller one looks like a Box turtle and the bigger one im pretty sure is an Ornate Wood Turtle.

That was my guess as well, but I wanted another opinion.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

@OrangeSpider Take a look at the first two care sheets at the top of the section on American Box Turtles here: https://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/american-box-turtles.98/

I realize Smalls isn't a hatchling, but there's some good background and other information on box turtles in that second care sheet.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Both of them should be placed in a nice large tupperware container with warm water and given a nice daily soak! These turtles need a good soaking!

 

[Yvonne G]

They're both full grown. Smalls is a male three toe box turtle (terrapene carolina triunguis), and Biggie is an ornate Central American wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys).They really should have separate enclosures because they require different environments.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

You can soak each of them in warm-lukewarm water (range of 85F-95F), refresh the water when it starts cooling down. Both species can swim, but they aren't fully aquatic by any means.

For these turtles, you can raise the water level in the soaking container to the top of the carapace or even a bit higher. Make sure the turtle can hold its head above the water without effort. Keep a lifeguard on duty with the higher than normal water level (higher than recommended with a tortoise). Otherwise, you need to stick with a lower water level (as for tortoises) in case the turtle manages to flip over, so it can hold its head above water if it can't right itself. (It's more fun to hang around and watch swimming practice.)

Don't worry if the turtle pulls its head underwater and keeps it there for a while. They can hold their breath much better than we do!

 

[enchilada]

A female ornate wood turtle and a male three toed box turtle .
That enclosure is so inappropriate that even beard dragon can’t stand it . I don’t think they’ve been living there for 30 years , because in this case they’d either been dead long time ago Or have extremely deformed shells /overgrown beaks and nails

——————-
Which state you’re at ? They do pretty well outdoors in warmer weather.
For indoor enclosure, you can get pond liner or a large shower curtain to make a waterproof bottom for this bookcase . Then do half water /half land with heavy vegetation .

 

[enchilada]

You can soak each of them in warm-lukewarm water (range of 85F-95F), refresh the water when it starts cooling down. Both species can swim, but they aren't fully aquatic by any means.

For these turtles, you can raise the water level in the soaking container to the top of the carapace or even a bit higher. Make sure the turtle can hold its head above the water without effort. Keep a lifeguard on duty with the higher than normal water level (higher than recommended with a tortoise). Otherwise, you need to stick with a lower water level (as for tortoises) in case the turtle manages to flip over, so it can hold its head above water if it can't right itself. (It's more fun to hang around and watch swimming practice.)

Don't worry if the turtle pulls its head underwater and keeps it there for a while. They can hold their breath much better than we do!

it might surprise you that ornate wood turtles are pretty good at swimming.
mine strolling down the bottom of my pond everyday and sleeps in water sometimes .

 

[Pastel Tortie]

it might surprise you that ornate wood turtles are pretty good at swimming.
mine strolling down the bottom of my pond everyday and sleeps in water sometimes .
View attachment 304526

I figured they could start out with soaks then move on to getting a pool. ?

 

[Maro2Bear]

I figured they could start out with soaks then move on to getting a pool. ?

and then a hot tub ??