ChristinaTN
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2014
- Messages
- 4
Hi! I am a new(ish) box turtle mommy. We had an eastern box turtle decide to make our fenced in backyard her home about 5 months ago. Little did we know that she was expecting and laid eggs about a month after joining us. We just let her "free range" per say in our backyard since she is completely protected from any predators and has plenty of space to roam/hide. She especially loved our strawberry plants this summer. Here are a couple of pictures of her. She loves to snuggle with us. Her name is simply Turtle. Scroll down to read all about our hatchling and the advice I am looking for.
We've been anxiously awaiting the hatchlings to make their way out but decided to dig them out since we have very hard soil and didn't think they would make it out themselves. We were right. Only 1 out of 3 survived that we have named Walter. We brought him inside and have made him a little habitat. His yolk sack is still there. I read quite a bit before deciding what to do with his home so hopefully I've got everything right. Here are a few pictures and I would love any advice on his habitat that we could improve on. It is topsoil covered with sphagnum moss which I have been misting often to keep everything moist. Turned over pot for hiding, a dish for water that is level with the soil for easy access. I also attached this light and have been turning it on for a few hours each day. I think the only thing I am really concerned about is the light. Is it too big? I just bought one of the 5.5" clamp lights from Home Depot and put a 60W lightbulb in it. I have it pointed on one side so he can get away from it if he needs to cool down. The tub he's in is approximately 2.5'x1.5'. Like I said, I would love any advice!
Mommy and Baby
We've been anxiously awaiting the hatchlings to make their way out but decided to dig them out since we have very hard soil and didn't think they would make it out themselves. We were right. Only 1 out of 3 survived that we have named Walter. We brought him inside and have made him a little habitat. His yolk sack is still there. I read quite a bit before deciding what to do with his home so hopefully I've got everything right. Here are a few pictures and I would love any advice on his habitat that we could improve on. It is topsoil covered with sphagnum moss which I have been misting often to keep everything moist. Turned over pot for hiding, a dish for water that is level with the soil for easy access. I also attached this light and have been turning it on for a few hours each day. I think the only thing I am really concerned about is the light. Is it too big? I just bought one of the 5.5" clamp lights from Home Depot and put a 60W lightbulb in it. I have it pointed on one side so he can get away from it if he needs to cool down. The tub he's in is approximately 2.5'x1.5'. Like I said, I would love any advice!
Mommy and Baby