new turtle (tortoise?) owner

[thelub]

I just acquired a pet turtle and I'm trying to learn about it and how to properly care for it. It was listed on craigslist as a male box turtle, but I can't seem to be able to identify what kind it is, so that's why i'm here. Once me and the GF decided to get a turtle, I started reading up on them. I normally keep aquariums and I understand how important it is to have proper care and optimal habitat for animals I keep.

There are a couple signs that lead me to believe it wasn't properly cared for. Its toenails appear to be pretty long and the beak looks like its overgrown. I haven't been able to get a good look as this one is still very shy. Its shell looks pretty good with dry edges. No major cracks or hole that I can see. When he closes up the tail section never fully closes (yet). His skin is pretty dry and I think its due to the large wood chips in his box.

I have been trying to google what kind of turtle this is, but I haven't been able to find the exact markings to positively ID what turtle I have.

I just purchased this turtle this evening from a girl on craigslist. It came to me in a small (10-12qt) tupperware storage container with wood chips in it. They almost look like cedar. It also came with a hiding log and a couple dishes.

My plan is to make a bigger den from a very large (100qt?) tupperware tote and fill it with about 5" of peat moss. I plan on making some sort of large wading pool for it at one end. I bought a 10" clip-on shop light and put a 250w heating lamp in it and a thermometer. Right now its still in the original container with the heat lamp keeping the temp around 80 degrees.

Here are some pictures to help ID what kind of turtle this is.

Thank you for your input and I look forward to learning all I can about this little guy.

underside. head up
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/75749347/2012-12-23 20.19.33.jpg

another
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/75749347/2012-12-23 20.21.06.jpg

top side head down
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/75749347/2012-12-23 20.20.18.jpg

another
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/75749347/2012-12-23 20.20.49.jpg

tail down
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/75749347/2012-12-23 20.21.15.jpg

hidden face
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/75749347/IMG_20121223_195104.jpg

another
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/75749347/IMG_20121223_195114.jpg

back leg toes (3 toes. does that ID it as a 3 toe eastern box?)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/75749347/IMG_20121223_195109.jpg

 

[pam]

Welcome

 

[yagyujubei]

Welcome, I couldn't open your pictures. I got a warning that that website contains "malicious content", sorry. You can find much info in the box turtle section, as far as housing, light, food etc...I would still like to see pics for a positive ID, but my security won't let me. Also, three toes on the back feet will usually indicate a three toed.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum thelub!

Your new box turtle does look like a male three-toed box turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis), but I'll bet his ancestry might be mixed with something else too. You're right about the beak. He's been in captivity a very long time and fed the wrong, and too soft a diet, hence the beak growing like it has. Hopefully he will relax and settle in quickly so you can have his beak trimmed by a qualified turtle vet.

 

[thelub]

I'm going to put a piece off slate or terra cotta in his new den and feed him on it. Hopefully that will help wear down his beak until I can find a qualified turtle vet. I've been reading up on optimal diets and will be feeding him a varied diet of veggies, fruits and proteins.

I will be transferring him to his new den tonight. The substrate I bought has been out in the cold so I wanted to give it a chance to warm up in the house before I put him in it. I hope he will enjoy the new bigger area to live in. He's still very shy. My gf made him some scrambled eggs this morning and it looked like he was curious.

I'll check out a cuttle bone and hopefully he'll be able to chew on that and whittle down his beak as well. I feel so bad this little guy has been neglected and I hope to give him the proper care he deserves.

 

[mainey34]

Hello and welcome..sounds like this poor guy found a good home...

 

[Yellow Turtle]

Hello and welcome. I don't know about box turtle, but I'm sure you will get a lot of help here.