Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Turtles > baby box turtle

baby box turtle

22 16:16:09

Question
I love turtles and am always stopping on the highway to run out in the road.  I have always thought box turtles were so cool.  Today my daughter comes to my house with a surprise.  It is a baby box turtle that is about the size of a silver dollar.  She brought it in an aquarium type set up with a chipped wood type bottom, little logs and a flat ceramic dish to fill with water.  I know box turtles do better outside but this turtle is way to small to set up in a pen outside.  The racoons will kill it.  I need to know exactly how I should set up its cage, what is the best food for it.  I have the cage sitting by the window so it has direct sunlight.  It hasn't eaten anything and has mostly buried itself under the wood chippings.  I want to do everything possible for the turtle.  Please give me all the info you can to make sure this turtle has the best environment possible.  Also, can you recommend a forum for turtle owners.
Thanks,
Denise

Answer
Forum: http://www.turtleforum.com is a great one!

Care info: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com and http://www,boxturtlesite.info are great as well!

Please tell me this is a captive bred turtle, and not a wild-caught one. Wild-caught should be released for many reasons, including being illegal to catch.

Good luck!