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Three toed box turtles

22 16:07:29

Question
QUESTION: i was just curious as to when the best time is to "let them go" my brother found them and he cannot take care of them due to hospitilization and we didnt know they were at his house until yeterday i have no idea what their diet requires ive looked them up thats how i know what they are can you tell me what type of diet they require if they cant be released till spring? thank you

ANSWER: Hi Jenn,

If your brother found them recently, the best thing would be to contact a wildlife rehabber in your area (if you let me know roughly where you're located I can find one for you) to help.  It would be helpful if you knew where he picked them up, because box turtles are territorial and if released in another area will try to find their way back to their home territory.

Box turtles are omnivorous (plant and animal matter)--leafy greens, fruit, worms, pillbugs, crickets, snails, slugs, etc. Here's a good website for you to read over:  www.aboxturtle.com

Thank you for wanting to do the right ting for these turtles.  They are becoming scarcer in the wild and it's best for these to be returned to their natural habitat if at all possible.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I live in Hillsboro Missouri 63050 how would i look up a wildlife rehabber and thank you for your thorough answer you are the bomb i am an animal lover and hate to see animals that dont need to be domesticated into their homes thank you so much

Answer
Hi Jenn,

I think your best bet is to contact the St. Louis Turtle and Tortoise Society.  Their website says they do relocation and release, and if they can't help they should be able to refer you to someone who can.  The phone number is on the front page of the website.  http://www.turtlehelpstltts.org/mission.html