Box turtles

[CTR0022]

Looks like my 6 year old has a new pet. He is going to live in the back yard and have free roam. I imagine he'll eventually dig under the fence.

But if he makes it to winter does anyone know what I need to do? I figure just put a few bags of mulch or peat moss out for him to burrow into and hibernate.

Anything in particular I need to do?

[White Falcon]

My thoughts. Not to be a di*k. just turn it loose.

[Thumper]

Might put a bale of hay over the mulch, and some cover to keep the den dry.

[Walker]

I believe they are a protected species.

[sir huntsalot]

Most box turtles are not protected species. During winter they'll burrow under the soil, so mulch isn't a bad idea. They usually bury themselves just over the top of their shells, so add at least that much mulch/ leaf litter.

[TXBRASS]

I got one when I was 5 years old. I will turn 40 this year and still have him. He has lived 35 years in a 4’x6’ pen at my parents. He will burrow underground in the winter.


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[Thumper]

I believe they are a protected species.

Just the western box turtle. Most are not.

[SaltwaterSlick]

My thoughts. Not to be a di*k. I just should have hit the BACK button!.

There, I fixed it for you. :roll eyes:

[Quackerbox]

There, I fixed it for you. :roll eyes:

Right!!!

Jeez. I had 2 for years as a kid. We would dump grass clippings for them under a pear tree. They ate the heck out of rotten pears

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[White Falcon]

SaltwaterSlick, Thanks!

[sailor]

I got one when I was 5 years old. I will turn 40 this year and still have him. He has lived 35 years in a 4’x6’ pen at my parents. He will burrow underground in the winter.


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Now that's just cool...….

[BayouCat]

I got one when I was 5 years old. I will turn 40 this year and still have him. He has lived 35 years in a 4’x6’ pen at my parents. He will burrow underground in the winter.


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That's awesome!

I used to keep them as pets but always let them go in the fall before the weather cooled off.

[Dale Moser]

I got one when I was 5 years old. I will turn 40 this year and still have him. He has lived 35 years in a 4’x6’ pen at my parents. He will burrow underground in the winter.


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How big has he gotten? What does he eat?

[TXBRASS]

How big has he gotten? What does he eat?

Dale. He’s the same size as when I got him. No idea how old he was then. Got him from a pet store for $5. Painted box turtle.

My parents throw him veggie scraps and every couple of weeks give him a couple scoops from a can of dog food. My dad has a shop light over his pen and during the right time of year he is a beast of a predator on June bugs.


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[Dale Moser]

That's pretty **** cool.



We spray painted a couple as kids, and would find them around the pasture for several years until the paint faded off.