Box Turtle Enclosure: Progression Thread

[wade]

Does not appear to be a black widow. Hard to see from this angle. BW will have a very round marble like abdomen.

 

[Urban_M86]

!What an awesome job Nanci!

 

[diamondlil]

Sorry to hear about the comet, Nanci.

 

[Nanci]

Fort Tort, Now At SnickerSnakes!

For those of you who haven't visited my SnickerSnakes website yet, I've made a blog of Fort Tort and all the goings-on in my backyard there. It won't be a carbon copy of my writings and photos here, so be sure to stop in for a visit! It you follow me on Twitter (SnickerSnakes) you'll always be informed of the latest blog posts.

http://snickersnakes.com/fort-tort

I took a lot of spring photos this morning, including my most wonderful discovery in a long time, a pair of toads in amphiplexus!!

 

[Nanci]

Koko and Butters weathered the huge storm last night and were found out grazing this morning. Here's Koko with a home-grown strawberry treat!

 

[Nanci]

Here's Isabel, modeling in one of several spring flower photos I took. This wisteria is taking off and producing loads of pretty purple flowers this spring!

 

[Marshall_P]

I haven't been around lately to check the progression, but I must say you sure have been busy. I can see how that would be an awesome place to spend your free time when you get off work or just need some relaxation. Way to go Nanci, Marsh..

 

[Outcast]

Didn't you get some sort of amphibian for your Tort Fort? or was that for the box turtle area? How are those little guys doing? have you seen any about lately?

 

[Nanci]

I just have several species of native frogs outside, and Olivia the Colorado River Toad inside. Wait- I have newts in the pond, but I have only seen one one time (months) after the release! The killifish are thriving.

There are no more box turtles. Krusty disappeared- I don't believe he died because I tore the place apart multiple times looking for him. I don't know how he could have gotten out with the lip on the wall. I don't think a predator would have stopped until it had eaten everyone, and the other boxie and the two torts were unharmed. Did someone remove him? Fagalo got flipped over on a 95F day and couldn't right herself and I didn't discover her until it was too late. So great- you can imagine how guilty I feel about that. I am considering a pair of small musk turtles, but I am not sure...I think I would also consider a CB box turtle, but what are the chances of finding one of those.

 

[Outcast]

I know of a few people out here who breed box turtles... I could get in touch with the guy down in Las Cruses in the next couple of weeks when I go apartment hunting and give you his number if you want? I know he breeds them... He has a few adults that he keeps in his shop, I am not sure how many he has right now, but I can check for you?

I think they are all ornate, since that is what we have around here....

I ended up rescuing a baby that someone got from an old lady who had bred them in her back yard... The lady told the girl to feed it ham, turkey and lettuce and thats all it needed.... Checks is now eating earthworms, has a cuttle bone, and gets some greens every once in a while, along with a tomato. I need to pick up some strawberries for him. he would love it...

 

[Nanci]

I can find ornates here (at shows) but they are supposed to be very delicate, and it's a lot more humid here than in their normal range, so I don't think they would work out. I've looked into them and decided no, for now. But good suggestion.

 

[Outcast]

Yeah. I am wanting to set up some large enclosures for a few Florida boxies and Three toed boxies.... I miss having my old fella's, I used to have a 3 legged box turtle that I caught in Kentucky when I was 15... Poor little guy lost his leg to a dog or something, his shell was pretty bad, and I didnt know how old he was... He lived for about 3 years at my house before he died.... He also tried breeding with all my 3 toed boxies....LOL

Those enclosures will have to wait for a few years though...

 

[Nanci]

I'm sure they interbreed freely in the wild; they are a subspecies of the eastern, as is the gulf coast. I had a three-legged box turtle when I was a teenager. He was like that when I bought him. I _think_ he was a three-toed. Missing a front leg.

 

[Bartholomew]

Nanci...your just awesome! (so is the enclosure...love it!)

 

[pridecity]

Sorry to hear about your turtles. I have a Western Painted that someone wanted to dump in a river. He's native to Colorado so I got him for free. I'd send him to you, but he's aquatic.

I have really enjoyed your thread. Is it okay if I save a bunch of your pictures from this thread to my computer in a folder called "I love Nanci's style so much I hate her"? Lol. They'd be for personal viewing and showing friends.

 

[Nanci]

Yes, you can. Just don't repost them somewhere without crediting me. I'll have some sort of turtle out there again, some day. At least the torts and everyone else out there are thriving. The toadpoles are nearly half an inch long now, and swimming all over!

 

[Daenerys]

This makes me want my own house out in the country....

 

[pridecity]

Will not post them anywhere else. I think you have sufficiently made everyone here jealous of your zeal, stamina, strength, creativity, camera, and animals. I wish I had someone to teach me how to create an environment like you have.

Thanks for letting me save pictures. I try to always ask permission first.

 

[Sinsational]

Wow nanci. I just saw this thread. This is incredible!!!! I love your garden. I would love to have something like this one day.

 

[ratsncorns]

Nanci, I could keep an eye out for you and pick up a couple wild FL boxies. I see them all the time, and they are definitely active right now.