Do box turtles get stressed when moved?
The first thing to understand is that box turtles have a profoundly strong connection to the location they are born in. Removing a wild box turtle from their home causes stress for them. Box turtles that were born in the wild and were later put into captivity tend to have a much shorter life span.
What happens if you relocate a box turtle?
DO NOT RELOCATE the turtle. Box turtles have a homing instinct and they will try to get back to the area they came from. If you move it far from it’s home you will cause it to likely get killed trying to get back to it’s home, so leave it in the area found, do not bring it to a nicer park.
Is it normal for a turtle to stop eating?
Copied! Although it may concern you as a first-time turtle owner, it’s actually normal for a turtle to not eat for a few days. If he or she has stopped eating for several days, it’s time to look at what’s going on his environment to see if there’s a problem.
When to take your turtle to the vet?
If your turtle hasn’t eaten in a week or if you notice signs of illness coupled with lack of appetite sooner than a week’s passing, it’s time to get your turtle to a reptile veterinarian. Although a turtle can actually go without food for weeks but you don’t want to delay getting him treatment if the cause is an underlying medical problem.
How long does it take for a turtle to react to tuna?
Occasionally try feeding your turtle only normal pellets, and see how it reacts. If your turtle eats them than you should be able to feed her a normal diet now. If she ignores them, keep repeating the thing with the tuna can until it works. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of weeks.
What kind of water does a box turtle need?
A box turtle needs a basking area of 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and a cool area of 70 to 80 degrees in the day. It can be no cooler than 60 degrees in the evening. An adult red-eared slider turtle needs water in his tank for swimming kept at 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Younger turtles need the water at 80 to 85 degrees.
What to do if your box turtle won’t eat?
Many box turtles prefer to eat in the morning, around dawn. They may refuse to eat at any other time. Many of these problems are temporary and your box turtle may simply start eating again on his own when he feels like it. Or when weather conditions are more favorable for finding food. That said, don’t let him go weeks without eating.
Is it normal for a turtle to not eat?
If you just got your turtle then it’s very normal for them to not eat during their first days in their new home. Moving to a new home can be very stressful for a turtle. They will go from a small cramped tank, that they share with multiple turtles, to a new spacious tank where they can live alone.
Why does a box turtle like wet weather?
Box turtles like to eat in wet weather. This might be because some of their favorite foods—earthworms!—come out then. They know they’re more likely to find food in wet weather and less likely in hot, dry weather. So in nature they’ll look for food when they know they’ll find it.
Why does my turtle stop eating in the water?
If you keep the water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees, then your turtles should start eating again in no time. Turtles get stressed very easily. They can get stressed by excessive noises, by other pets, by improper handling, and many other things. If your turtle gets stressed out, they will stop eating until they calm down.
Should I relocate a box turtle?
Why is it bad to relocate a turtle?
Don’t relocate turtles to new areas, even if you think their current location is odd (unless it is obviously hazardous, such as a busy parking lot). Moving them to an unfamiliar location can subject them to foreign diseases and parasites that they lack a natural immunity to, so that should be avoided.
