TurtleMama7
New Member
Hello, my husband and I live in Southern California (Orange County) and we were given a three-toed box turtle in December. She had always been an indoor turtle in a glass terrarium. In March we started transitioning her out into a beautiful turtle sanctuary that my husband built for her in our back yard. She explored a bit and then immediately went into her hide and stayed there. She buried herself so only the very top of her shell was visible. This behavior has continued since the end of a March. We brought her out a couple of times to make sure she was getting hydrated and she will eat Rolie Polies and a grub or two. I read about people feeding their turtles every other day! We are concerned that she is not getting enough nutrition but we have also been advised by some turtle owners not to force her to come out! We put food out every day early in the am and pick it up at night after dark, but she is not eating. Checking in with the turtle owner experts here - What are your thoughts? Advice?
Part II- since my husband built this beautiful turtle sanctuary, and was enjoying our turtle so much (when she came out), a week ago, we got two more box turtles that were captive raised from hatchlings, lived outside, also in So. California and are about 5 years old. Both of them have also retreated into their hides and have not come out! Same behavior. They were eating every other day before they came to us.
Is this normal? Anything we should be doing? Nighttime temps in CA are 50's, daytime is high 60-70's.
A picture of our turtle sanctuary is attached. I appreciate any thoughts or ideas about our boxie family ❤️
Thank you!
Part II- since my husband built this beautiful turtle sanctuary, and was enjoying our turtle so much (when she came out), a week ago, we got two more box turtles that were captive raised from hatchlings, lived outside, also in So. California and are about 5 years old. Both of them have also retreated into their hides and have not come out! Same behavior. They were eating every other day before they came to us.
Is this normal? Anything we should be doing? Nighttime temps in CA are 50's, daytime is high 60-70's.
A picture of our turtle sanctuary is attached. I appreciate any thoughts or ideas about our boxie family ❤️
Thank you!