Species/ shell question

[jazminevance]

Hi all!
This is my first post on here! I'm trying to figure out what kind of box turtle I have. I inherited her from my aunt. Also, her shell seems to be a bit dry. Is there anything I can do to help her? Im new at this, I need all the advice I can get!
Thanks

 

[Maggie3fan]

Well...It looks like a 3-toed (T.c.triunguis) to me. They are semi-aquatic and enjoy being in water...I use a frisbee or a paint roller pan for them. The beak is too long, needs trim, ...They like fruit, protein( worms, slugs, and other gookie stuff.)nAnd they seriously like being outside with a water pool....

 

[jazminevance]

Well...It looks like a 3-toed (T.c.triunguis) to me. They are semi-aquatic and enjoy being in water...I use a frisbee or a paint roller pan for them. The beak is too long, needs trim, ...They like fruit, protein( worms, slugs, and other gookie stuff.)nAnd they seriously like being outside with a water pool....

Thank you!! What is the safest way to trim?

 

[PJay]

Welcome to the forum! I agree with Maggie, you have a three toed box turtle. The beak is a little long but not terrible. You can use a dremel high speed tool to trim a little at a time. Another option that might work well with that particular beak shape is to offer food on an abrasive surface like the backside of a ceramic tile. As it eats, the long part of the beak will rub across the rough surface.

 

[ColleenT]

Take the turtle to a vet for the beak trim. Here is how to feed. http://www.boxturtlefacts.org/Feeding_North_American_Box_Turtles.pdf

Box turtles need moist substrates, not dry. And the chance to soak every few days or so. They are turtles and not tortoises and their needs are different from a tortoise.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Also, this is what I learned here in Oregon...My exotic Vet charges $110 to trim a beak...she's also an avian Vet which gave me an idea...My right hand doesn't work good so I can't hold a dremel, so I went to my local mom and pop pet store which sells a lot of birds and asked about beak trims. The owner also sells and has tortoises and he will trim a turtle beak for $5...does a good job too...can't hurt to ask around...

 

[jazminevance]

My turtle actually let me file hers down with a nail file! I was surprised she wasn’t upset, and I put a cuttlebone in her tank which she has already went to town on haha.
What is your all favorite type of substrate to use? right now I have a cypress mulch in there and will spray as it gets dry. Is this okay? I think I have her feeding all together. She loves dried crickets, meal worms, fresh strawberries, lettuce, and tomatoes. I think I will get a calcium powder to sprinkle on her food.
I also need tips to control humidity

 

[Yvonne G]

Because box turtles are diggers, I like to use potting soil mixed with small grade orchid (fir) bark. Once you've added water (I pour a whole pitcherful) to the substrate, and cover the top of the enclosure, you won't have any trouble keeping it humid in there. A few real plants help too.

 

[Maggie3fan]

My turtle actually let me file hers down with a nail file! I was surprised she wasn’t upset, and I put a cuttlebone in her tank which she has already went to town on haha.
What is your all favorite type of substrate to use? right now I have a cypress mulch in there and will spray as it gets dry. Is this okay? I think I have her feeding all together. She loves dried crickets, meal worms, fresh strawberries, lettuce, and tomatoes. I think I will get a calcium powder to sprinkle on her food.
I also need tips to control humidity

My turtle actually let me file hers down with a nail file! I was surprised she wasn’t upset, and I put a cuttlebone in her tank which she has already went to town on haha.
What is your all favorite type of substrate to use? right now I have a cypress mulch in there and will spray as it gets dry. Is this okay? I think I have her feeding all together. She loves dried crickets, meal worms, fresh strawberries, lettuce, and tomatoes. I think I will get a calcium powder to sprinkle on her food.
I also need tips to control humidity

Wow...I'm impressed with that filing. I use fine grade orchid bark for substrate...and I don't worry about humidity for box turtles. For their indoor winter housing I provide several water stations...paint roller pan, Frisbee's, plant pot saucers
and the like. I don't worry about humidity for the box turtles, I keep the soil sorta wet, they have water sources to drink, soak, poop, and sleep. Outside their pen is alongside one Sulcata pen with a hand dug pool for the Sulcata that lived there. Now it's for the box turtles all spring and summer...because I live in a rural area with critters I bring them in at night...

 

[jazminevance]

Because box turtles are diggers, I like to use potting soil mixed with small grade orchid (fir) bark. Once you've added water (I pour a whole pitcherful) to the substrate, and cover the top of the enclosure, you won't have any trouble keeping it humid in there. A few real plants help too.

Thank you for great information!!