baby 3-toed box turtles

Question
QUESTION: I'm currently incubating my 2 box turtle eggs and i candled both of the recently. I was able to see one of the eggs had a black dot about the size of a nickle developed in one. I could even see it move! It's currently day 43 so they will be hatching within the next 2-3 weeks. My question is about heat light and a heating pad. I have read mixed results on both. I've read to use a heat light and not to but if you don't the room you keep them in needs to be warm. What do you prefer and if you do prefer a heat light, what type would u recommend. Also, I've read to use a heat pad and not use a heat pad. What would you recommend also? Thanks so much for the time and recommendations!

Billy

ANSWER: Hi Billy,

Do you mean what kind of heat source for the hatchlings?  I would use a basking light with UVB (I use a 100 watt T-Rex Active UVheat bulb for tortoise hatchlings) rather than a heat pad.  The hatchlings may not bask a lot, but they do need access to UVB if they want it.  Also make sure you keep their substrate very moist so they don't dehydrate.  I'd use sphagnum moss because it holds water very well.

When your eggs hatch, you can keep them in the incubator on moist paper towels for a few days.  You want to make sure the yolk sac is fully absorbed before you remove them from the incubator.

Here's a link to information on keeping hatchling box turtles:  http://aboxturtle.com/box_turtle_hatchling_care.htm

Have fun with your hatchlings--nothing like seeing that first egg pipping.  Good luck!

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QUESTION: Ok thanks! Also, I have read mixed reviews about feeding. Some sources say feed them every day, and others say feed them every other day. What is your take?

Billy

ANSWER: Hi Billy,

With hatchlings, I'd feed them every day for the first six months to a year, although it won't hurt them to miss a day here and there.  Don't be alarmed if they don't start eating right away, as they can live off the yolk sac for some time.  There's been research to show that very often fall hatchlings simply stay buried in the nest until spring, and don't have a first meal until then.

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QUESTION: Ok thanks!

I have just one more question. I've found this site: http://www.mynewturtle.com/pb/wp_eba0876d/wp_eba0876d.html

This lady talks about everything that you have to do for baby box turtles and I've found it very helpful. I just have a question about the UVB lighting. She says that in order for the UVB light to take full effect, you need to have it 6 inches or less from the turtles. I have found most sites don't talk about how far away the UVB light has to be from the turtles. What do you think?

Answer
If you're using a Reptisun 10.0, it does need to be close in order to give off any UVB at all.  Those bulbs provide a very low UVB output, which is why I prefer to use the T-Rex.  If you look on the site I linked above, it has a page showing the UVB output of different bulbs at different distances from the substrate level.

A few comments about the site you linked--while I don't have a problem with most of her advice, the disclaimer that not following her instructions exactly will cause a hatchling to become ill is unwarranted.  I know people who have been raising hatchling box turtles for years using somewhat different methods.  I also have to question her assertion that a coir substrate can cause impaction.  *If* a turtle or tortoise is dehydrated, this could happen, but it would happen on a peat substrate also.  I've never heard of impaction in a well-hydrated turtle or tortoise kept on coir, and I belong to a number of lists where virtually everyone uses a coir/sand substrate.  For the box turtles, I'd stick to sphagnum moss rather than peat, myself.  The reason I linked you to aboxturtle.com is because I know the person who put the site together and his advice is sound.  There's also a link to Yahoo's North American box turtle group on the front page of the site, so you can join and ask question there, too.  If you find conflicting information, it's very helpful to have a group where you can ask for clarification.