Need help with box turtle

[CaseyTurtle]

Hi. I recently adopted a box turtle and took it to the only veterinarian I have found within 100 miles who will see a turtle. It's legal to have in my area, is 10 years old and is very stunted in growth for its age. It hasn't had a light or sunlight so its shell is soft, and it's only had a diet of worms. So I have a lot of work ahead of me. I've already bought the lamps she needs and she's enjoying them. I've also been trying to vary her diet, but I've been giving her the worms she's used to. Here are my questions:

In the three weeks I've had her, she's eaten about 1/3 cup of food. I give her fresh food every day, but she rarely eats and never eats the worms. As far as I know, she hasn't had a bowel movement.

How much should she be eating? The vet said to give her another week, but if she doesn't eat more we may need to give her a feeding tube.

Is she grieving for the person who had her for her first 10 years? I've kept her habitat, her log, her food dish, everything to make home still feel like "home." Any suggestions?

 

[Jacqui]

Which type of box turtle is it? What temps are you keeping her at? How long are the lights on? Can she get any time outside in the sunlight?

 

[pinkspore]

Have you tried soaking her? My boxies are particularly hungry after a nice warm soak in the sun.

 

[ScottishFish]

In the life of a chelonian 3 weeks is not a particularly long time, is may still be getting used to its new surroundings.


'Or like the snow falls in the river,
A moment white, then melts forever'
~Robert Burns - Tam O' Shanter

0.0.1 Testudo hermanni boettgeri

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi and Welcome to the Forum!

Your box turtle is probably still getting used to its new environment. Here's a thread that was written by someone who is very good at keeping box turtles:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-42397.html

 

[yagyujubei]

How about a picture? I would consider a feeding tube only as a last ditch effort. Try pill bugs and slugs if you can find some. How about meal worms or superworms? Provide her with a place she can soak. I would keep her temps in the 80's.

 

[mike taylor]

I hope you can fix her there is alot at great people on this forum to help you on your way to a healthy box turtle. Welcome to T. F. O.

 

[terryo]

If I get a new box turtle and he's not eating I get some ground venison. If I don't have the real thing, I get Venison and sweet potato, Wellness dog food. I also feed this right before they hibernate. They all love it and it's good to entice a sick one to eat or a hatchling who hasn't started eating yet.