EP15: How to Raise Baby Box Turtles! (Water Method)

[@GardenStateTortoise]

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT OUR WORK WITH TURTLES & TORTOISES! Brand New merchandise now available right here: kzbin.info/door/YzqdqymxKfHTUUrLHHiBrAstore

[@troycase1833]

instablaster...

[@robertj2268]

Any availability on a Gulf Coast hatchling

[@demetriuswilliams3806]

,

[@enigmamagnus6806]

How long do we keep them in water before adding substrate?

[@Johnnyta43]

Hello thank you for a great video. Is there an email that you have where I can get in touch with you about some questions I have regarding my baby Easton box turtle?

[@Sal.Manila]

I’m 49 years old currently. I’ve never been without a box turtle in my life since receiving my first one at the age of 7. Even after raising these animals for 40+ yrs, I just learned A LOT from this one video. Thank you!

[@brandydarling1]

Back in the 70s my sister and I kept two box turtles. We followed all the conventional wisdom of the time. Looking back I realize we could have done a LOT better job of every aspect of husbandry. I’m happy we have access to info like this. I now keep Leopard Tortoises and I totally geek out in their care.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

I think most of us look back and feel the same!

[@jeffstevens156]

My first box turtle was an eastern box turtle. I was just a kid and as I was playing fetch with a friends dog. I threw the ball but the dog brought e back a tortoise instead. It was very special. Since that was 55 or so years ago, I don’t remember a whole lot about then. I knew I was hooked on sight. They are great starters as they can and do and live in most areas. It was a perfect pet for my age and it’s ability to tolerate most natural environments. I’ve loved tortoises to this day. Thanks and keep up the good work. I was in Kansas recently they were crossing the roads. I helped everyone I was able to, across the road. When I get enough room, I will have a pet turtle. Just isn’t the right time yet. Y’all are awesome. Later! Jeff

[@sheikowi]

Absolutely the best pet videos on the Net. A joy to watch. Narrator is a master.

[@mikedurhan9941]

Thanks for a very educational video. I have had box turtles off and on my entire life and I am now in my late 70's. I've made some mistakes, but I've also had some big wins with raising and keeping them as pets. But, I'm still learning and this video taught me a lot. Thanks again.

[@christinenolan1418]

I do realize that you posted this long ago but I haven’t seen these older videos and really enjoy them. I never realized how pretty these animals are and how much I enjoy them. They all look pretty flawless to me. Thank you for all your information. I’ve learned a lot.

[@ozventure3822]

We don't have box turtles here in Australia. They are so cute. Beautiful colouring as well. We had a long necked turtle come inside our house last month, had to take her down to our nearby lake. Breeding time...

[@braciole7667]

Just found a baby eastern box turtle on my back patio. Live in Southern Louisiana. Kids wanted to keep it. But I know it was best to let it go. Hope it survives and thrives. Enjoyed this video very much.

[@thesnapperkeeper]

Great information. Thanks for putting it out there to offset the outdated info that seems so prevalent. ❤🐢

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you for watching!

[@enigmamagnus6806]

@@GardenStateTortoise How long do we keep them in the water before adding substrate?

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

We were visited by a gorgeous wild male box turtle at our apartment in TN. I can see why people sometimes pick them up and take them thinking they are a domesticated one that was abandoned, because they are so calm and get used to the presence of a human so quickly. They are such cool animals and it breaks my heart knowing so many are stuck in small tanks and tubs with poor care.

[@sherryo.6600]

Love what you're doing to benefit the box turtles. I love them all but I won't consider raising them myself because I don't have the capabilities to give them what they truly need. Thanks for the great information. 🐢💚

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks Sherry!!

[@Twotoedfarm]

So glad this video came out today, I have two baby box turtles I’ve kept outside all summer and wanted to bring them in for the winter and now I know how to keep them well inside

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Awesome! Glad it’s helpful and thanks for watching. 🙏🏻

[@jmartin9785]

Thank you for all this great info. just what we needed. Where we live, the box turtle has been declining steadily, because of several reasons, power mowers, highways, etc. we have been used to seeing a lot of them, but in the last year or so, no turtles. We saw one, finally, and it was digging, so l watched it until it layed eggs and covered them. We placed a wire cage over the spot and watched. Today, about 2 1/2 months later, we saw some movement, Shazam, a baby turtle peeped out. I gently got it out, then with my finger took out the remaining 4. That is when l looked up your video. Thank God for people like you that care. Blessings!🌈🦋🌻

[@soaringhawkjaylorihaack6339]

Excellent info, as always! My 9-year-old male Ornate Box loves to be in his outdoor enclosure (16'x8'), and seems happy enough inside once the weather starts getting cooler in Oregon. He loves to dig under the substrate and pop out at worms, snails, and grasshoppers when it's suppertime!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Awesome and thanks for watching!

[@andrew71888]

I'll be honest, it is stepping outside of my comfort zone imagining myself placing my hatching in a non terrestrial based setup. I was so accustomed to peat and sphagnum moss with some eco earth. I enjoyed this informative video thoroughly, and will use some of the information for future projects.

[@bluesclera74]

I'm raising a box turtle in Korea far away. Your channel is very informative and fun. Thank you ^^

[@ThePrincePanhandler]

*Thanks for this video! I'm currently raising up 6 desert box turtle yearlings that hatched September 2019 and 4 hatchlings that hatched this season using some of these same methods. I'm glad to see that I'm on the right track.*

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Awesome! Thanks for watching and I hope the animals all thrive for you.

[@perrysalati]

The information that you give and the way you film is so educational that it gives the average Turtle enthusiast All the right tools to raise Our little friends to the utmost best condition. You are the best my friend. Thank you so much.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

This is probably the best comment I’ve ever gotten so thank you for making my week!

[@griffb7610]

Great video! I was wondering how you determine when the babies are ready to transition into a more terrestrial environment?

[@T1000TheMachine]

Seamlessly integrated and easy to follow. As somone who has loved and grown up with these animals as a child, you did an excellent job! As a supporting rule of measure for hatchlings and definitely adults is providing excellent plant coverage for them, 1; to conceal themselves as a measure of securit/safety. And 2, Literally reiterated for its importance in the video. Humidity can control their survival, breeding, and even feeding (as simulated after a morning rain).

[@lisasherrard988]

How long do I keep them in just water before adding substrate (other than the spanghum moss mentioned)?

[@embracenreborns6997]

Thanks so much for this very educational baby box turtle 🐢 video I am a huge fan of your channel and learned so much and I honestly didn't know that to raise them in water like that but it makes so much sense. Keep up the great work you inspire me to continue to learn and be a responsible turtle keeper 👀💚🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢👀💚🐢👀💚🐢

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

[@88ETan]

My amboinensis box turtle is half way hatching, coming from someone who has 0 clue on raising baby box turtle. This video is a true saviour, at least it armed me with some basic dos and donts. Thank you for sharing

[@johnmccrossin9191]

Love how you explain things to a t !! 💯Love your show and info on these fascinating creatures ❤️!!

[@northernplantucky]

🐢Luckily since I had some experience I was able to piece together information a few months ago when I got a hatchling baby box turtle found in a grocery store parking lot! I wish I would have found this first, but luckily you are confirming that I'm on the right track. You have amazing Turtles🐢

[@gladysmufalli5614]

I love all the different kinds of box turtles you have! Also your video had so much information, thank you for sharing!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@Cloudii_999]

I have so many memories of staying at my grandmas house and looking out the widow to see a box turtle in her yard and just watching it for as long as i could

[@torIIgo]

I've regretted trading my female Eastern years ago. I'm strongly considering getting back into owning boxies again as they are my fave of any turtle species though I'm also quite partial to the small Spotteds and Muddies. Love your vids, keep it up, man. Respect from San Antonio, Texas!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Love spotteds and muds myself! Thanks so much for watching!!

[@grizzlybearaaron]

Thanks 🙏 this Channel deserves more subscribers and viewers, honestly if i didn’t see this video my turtle could of died

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Wow! Glad it helped! Thank you so much.

[@belizeguy]

Thank you for doing this!! Always good to have the best information to move forward with baby box turtles.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

You got it, thank you!

[@hannacarter1352]

Lots of great info in this video. If your child wants a baby turtle they could learn a lot by watching.

[@stampinturtles]

Best video on raising box turtles! Thank you! I’ve always thought the uvb light was unnecessary (since they hide all time). I have an outdoor enclosure and just found a baby. I have an indoor tank to keep the small babies in until they get big enough to put back outside. I’ve always had a shallow water dish for them but your video makes me think I should have more water. Or just water. Although my adults have different preferences. Some spend all day in the water while others just go in for 5-10 minutes and go back to hiding.

[@senordoctorprofesorpatrici9866]

Thank you so much, this really helped way more than online articles

[@JamesKing2understandinglife]

I am facing raising 24 hatchlings that I artificially incubated since June and July. i do not need so many, but I want to get them started right. Thanks for the video. They get a water bath every day and have access to a shallow pool where they can get out of and into easily. They love wiggling earth worms and mealworms and I will try to find them good homes soon.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Awesome, glad to hear it!

[@texasturtles1097]

Good advice on the hydration topic! With regards to UVb exposure. I found that adding a Reptisun 10.0 bulb above specimens maintained indoors greatly enhances their behavior and feeing responses. I was really impressed by this when I watched them seek out the UV basking area and line up with necks and limbs outstretched in a plank position the same as basking sliders! If you place a heat spot ight on one side and a UV spotlight next to it the turtles will alternate which one to bask under (chameleons perform the same behavior). 20 years ago at the Dallas Zoo us and other zoo herp depts used Sylvania BL 350 tubes. I used one with a hatchling ornate and it really began to thrive until a year later when the exposure under that UV caused it to go blind. Dr. William Gehrmann the pioneer of reptile UV utilization was a volunteer in our herp department and the bulb companies actually consulted with him! The old Sylvania bulbs worked but what's currently available are a lot safer for baby box turtles. I've raised hundreds of box turtles but now I use the Reptisun 10.0 (only $12-15). Something else I learned is that you cannot always make assumptions about behaviors in nature translating into the 'artifact of captivity'. When baby box turtles are on the surface and exposed to sunlight they're being bombarded by more UVb (both directly and reflective) than a UVb bulb can provide Not to mention the illumination which can cause the baby turtle to want to hide and avoid predators. The UVb bulbs don't provide much illumination but it is likely the turtle can see the difference of the wavelength which is why they will actively seek it. I think baby box turtles are merely able to tolerate UVb deprivation for a while which works great if your waiting in a nest chamber for months. However, I urge folks to spend the $12-15 on the bulb that helps them metabolically while they are utilizing energy stores and growing. Thank you for putting out the video.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank for that! Very interesting and intriguing about the UVB. Perhaps another video citing that information would be a good idea.

[@stampinturtles]

I’ve always had one with my babies, but since they hide all day I wondered if it did any good. Interesting thoughts here.

[@johnbolli1981]

My mother had 2 Box turtles for 26 years she lived in a row home in Philadelphia the turtles used to just wander the house and sleep under the radiators and even had their own food dishes right next to the dog's bowl in the kitchen on the floor. Years later she moved to New Jersey to a rancher style home where one day the turtles escaped a sliding glass door and we never saw them again

[@tlafleur8433]

1st time here, just subbed, I have one red eared slider 2 yr old in large tank. All of your turtles and torts are beauriful. I am amazed at Otis's personality.

[@gamalcastile]

I recently purchased a baby Eastern Box Turtle and 2 baby Eastern Painted Turtles. The painteds are thriving in a 40 gallon tank right now and spend their days basking, swimming, and foraging on the bottom. One of them likes to hide in the live plants, but the other is much more confident and stays out in the open. The boxie on the other hand is in a terrestrial tank with a Zoomed waterfall, hydroball aquifer, eco-earth/cypress mulch substrate, and reptisun 80w. The boxie ate a few red wrigglers the first few days, but now doesn't eat at all. He ignores them, ignores small spotted roaches, meal worms, pellets, fresh greens and strawberries. He just won't eat. I put him in a plastic tote (no water though) with a red wriggler, spotted roach and meal worm and he just went to a corner. I've dumped about a dozen worms into his tank where they've just went into the soil, along with about 8-10 roaches, and a few meal worms, and none are to be seen now and must've all just burrowed into the substrate. Today, for the first time in 10 days the boxie found the waterfall on his own and stood under the water. So, would it be a good idea to simplify things and put him in a small tub like shown in the video for awhile until he seems to be eating regularly? The one mistake I see I was making after watching your video was not supplying enough water (there was a clay dish filled with water I sat him in a few times and the small water fall stream coming down a bark face and falling onto a gravel bed) and thinking maybe he needed higher temps to stimulate his metabolism. I'm going to raise the height of the reptisun to lower the temp a little (82° on the soil and 92° on the rock were the temps). Also, according to the video, I could also just place him in the 8" deep 40 gallon tank with the similarly sized painteds? He would be just fine swimming and walking on the bottom and using the stairs and floating basking site to get out?

[@mikeprince6095]

Nice video bro. Can I just use zoomed forest floor as the bedding for sub-adult box turtles?

[@milliondog0]

It was nice seeing a little ornate box turtle 💛 I have a female yearling. Shes has lots of variety in her diet, but I'm definitely going to try making some of that mash! ✨

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Excellent!

[@pamelafox5882]

Do you have any baby ornate box turtles for sale? I have one that's about 10 months old and I absolutely love it abf and would love to raise more as well as more species.

[@brucemorris6319]

I found two baby box turtles in my yard couple weeks ago . I live in the country. We see turtles every year here walking across the yard but don’t see to many these days. I’ve been told it’s because of all the crop spraying that the farmers do here in Oklahoma.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Unfortunately that definitely can harm them.

[@sunnybeaches1331]

Thank you for this information. I just found a very tiny Box Turtle. I was worried something would eat her as well as getting COLD out. So she now lives with me and my Service Dog. I didn't know anything about them. Now I have an idea on how to keep her happy! Yes, it a female! I named her Nemo.

[@chrisbyrnes4490]

I have set up a water enclosure like the one you suggested for my 2 box turtle hatchlings. I have a question about lighting and type of water: do you need to use distilled or purified water; and, are you using UVB lighting and how long do you keep the lighting turned on? Thank you for any replies!

[@chrispawelczyk1931]

Wow, all of these turtles are beautiful 😍

[@AJKAquaria]

One of your best Chris. Thanks for bringing your experiences and advice to video.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks!!

[@tammycampbell112]

I always kept mine in damp substrate and they did well. Of course they had soaking dishes. I had both Eastern and Three - toed.

[@jasoncastillo9926]

Great video, my new florida hatchling arrives Tuesday. And I'm so ready to provide for it. Especially with the knowledge from this great video.

[@joelliu6653]

Great video, thanks! Do you need to add water conditioner to the water you're using in this aquatic setting?

[@ronaldblue7167]

VERY INFORMATIONAL. Made me reflect on some of my husbandry techniques. I actually made some changes shortly after watching the video. Always helpful. Is it permissible to share your videos to my FB page on turtles? They are the best out there

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks Ron! And yes please share this and any others.

[@dustinharrall1577]

@GardenStateTortoise, do you hibernate your hatchlings eastern box turtles so they are adapted for winter climates once you move them outdoors or will ebt naturally know to hibernate even after mssing their first hibernation period.

[@judyfarrow52]

I just found a baby EBT in my flowerbed today. Not sure if there are more. I had a female escape several years ago and think this may be hers. I haven’t looked in the enclosed area where my others are. They just came out of brumation. I am so happy I found this video tonight. I’m heading to fix it’s area just like yours. Loved the video btw. Judy

[@wesleyhuffmaster1371]

Thank you for the information! So I just want to make sure: raising an Ornate Box Turtle in water is not a good idea, is that right?

[@shainaalexander78]

Hi there! Thank you so much for this info!! One question, how long do you keep the babies in this water setup??

[@tiffanyprzybysz5248]

Same question.

[@nathanskywalker1536]

I love box turtles since I was a kid they are just neat looking reptilian animals with that cool Orange color of the skin and shell

[@bsaddyful]

I found my first hatchling yesterday in our outdoor boxed-in turtle pond, this video was helpful. Question, should I look for other hatchlings or wait?

[@bassballer21]

Had a new baby eastern that didn’t eat for 5 days. Watched this video and followed your guidelines and he just devoured a crickets and a few pellets. Thanks so much for the tips. Was just curious what you did with the babies while changing out the water in the containers? Thanks again!

[@osamaabdellatif7994]

Where did you find the heat lamps??

[@dantewhiterose1958]

Love you care videos Chris. Keep me coming! 👍

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you!!

[@tonyromano6220]

Interesting on the UVB!

[@jmcianci12]

Chris, How long should they stay in the container with water and humidity environment?

[@hollyjames3003]

Thanks so much for these wonderful educational videos. Two box turtle eggs hatched this week in my homemade incubator (1 Aug 22) These eggs were laid May 13th, 2022. I have a male and female who mated again about 2 weeks ago. tonight she is spending hours digging as if she is making a nest. I’m trying to stay away from her so I don’t scare her. Is it possible for her to lay fertile eggs again this summer? I live in Richmond VA.

[@pisces363]

I have adult and baby eastern box turtles. My adult male to female ratio is not what I want it to be, 4 males and 1 female. I started with a male/female pair. People knew I had them and thought they were doing me a favor by giving me the other 3 males that they found. Long story short; now I have 3 outdoor pens with 2 males/ 1 female & 2 males and 4 babies. The “outdoor babies” are the survivors from the last 2 years. I found 7 hatchlings this year that I’m keeping indoors. I’m determined to keep all of them alive and healthy. The adults are fine. It’s the babies that I’m most concerned about.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Well, good luck, sounds like you’re committed to making things right for them.

[@pisces363]

GardenStateTortoise Thanks a lot. Your tips will come in handy as I raise the new batch of hatchlings.

[@joshuastover8632]

Awesome video. Do you have plans for the 4x2x2 enclosures? They're exactly what I want to build in my new reptile house.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

I don’t have the plans but I am planning on doing more videos that iron that kind of info out.

[@michaelpopplewell5190]

How do they sleep when they’re in water? Do they naturally just keep their heads above water?

[@Darthbelal]

Do you do catch and release with some of the more endangered species of box turtle??

[@CarsonBumgarner]

And am i supposed to leave them in the 16qt container for a while because I’m trying to do something different,how do they sleep in those containers with water

[@vanessaromanoff]

I was just wondering how long you keep the babies in the container setups I’m replicating the same thing and was curious how long I should keep my baby in the container setup before I upgrade my baby into something else

[@geckomorphsusa4032]

Hi,is there a specific temp the water should be ?

[@bubbausa9892]

How long do you keep them in the water? And when you refer to temps, is that air temps or water temps?

[@lindanichols4853]

When they're in the clear containers, how do you prevent them from climbing on the sides and flipping over? The flipping is so dangerous and stressfull.

[@carlymahal2324]

so to clarify you keep them in that starter setup until 3 1/2 inches? even if keeping them indoors I n the long run, if outdoor conditions aren't suitable?

[@davidburke3111]

Great video… lucky for me I’m here in Ga and mine remain outside year round. I will admit that the first year I don’t see many of them. They stay hidden away. If I get a big big rain I can find some then. Loved this video.

[@MomGotStitches]

How long would you say the babies stay in this wet habitat for :)? Age wise

[@TG-mx4bw]

Question about the water you use in the tubs. Is regular tap water ok or do you use special? Thanks.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Good question- we have well water so it works out beautifully. I have not heard of any issues pertaining to tap or city water but you might want to ask others that do use it.

[@rebecca20201]

When they’re living outdoors do you bring them in an indoor enclosure during colder months with freezing temps?

[@divinelotus19]

I would like to know also.

[@melissachavez1837]

How long do you keep the baby box turtle in the water?

[@alcormier7197]

read comments above....3 to 4 inches in size.................or around 2 years.........then create an outdoor type setting, uvb lighting , water and dry areas deep enough so they can dig under

[@debrascheer4577]

Great video! I was happy to hear that they can live at least as long as a person and many times a lot longer. My baby is at least 50 to 60 years old and I was worried that her time with me was coming to a end. I want to improve her house again this time bigger than 4 feet with all the bells and whistles. Can you do a video showing stuff that makes there cage better. Thanks

[@michaelsuarez8883]

Hey! Few questions, can you add a water heater and a filter to this to make the water cleaner long? How long should they be in this water only/ mostly water style enclosure? I’m sure you said it but just so I’m sure, what’s the best food for a baby eastern box turtle? Do the need a heat lamp, if so, what’s the best kind? Would you be able to do the tub method that you do on your tortoise hatchling video(the tub with a lid with a hole cut out for a heat lamp and uvb(not that they need it but it was in the tortoise example))with them to but with just water and maybe some substrate instead of the tortoise set up? Also should you get more than one or is just one okay?? PLEASE let me know! It’s a lot of questions I know but I wanna ace this.

[@raulcampa7331]

How often do you have to feed the hatchling box turtles?

[@justinmcconnell6370]

With baby eastern box turtles, does the water need to be distilled or is it ok to use a tap water from a city source to soak them in early on?

[@austinwillis6199]

I’ve got a TTBT indoor right now due to us being in an apartment. We’re in Texas. Should I keep the substrate moist? She seems to hide quite a bit and the soil is dry…

[@jackpepper2501]

Cutest and the coolest on the planet.

[@Peltier13bravo]

Question if you don’t mind me asking. I’ve had my hatchlings for about 4 months now and they still haven’t eaten bugs or fruit. Just turtle pellets. Is there anything I can do to get them to eat live.

[@Majmediachannel]

Starvation

[@Majmediachannel]

@Chris Mccune don’t feed them anything else

[@michaelpopplewell5190]

if were keeping them in water do we still need to watch humidity?

[@pcrealty]

Very interesting - can I care for baby box turtles in fish tank?

[@GardenStateTortoise]

I wouldn’t recommend that. Fish tanks often cause a constant greenhouse effect which leads to dehydration over time and because they are clear glass, they can cause turtles to stress greatly from not being able to grasp the concept of being able to “see out, yet not be able to get out”. Fish tanks are one of the most popular enclosures listed in the outdated info I’m speaking of in the video.

[@tommyrobinson8286]

Hey you guys absolutely love the channel and the passion you have! I just got my first eastern box turtle hatchling yesterday any tips on getting him to eat? I offered some meal worms and a single mazuri pellet softened in a feed dish.

[@tinawindham6958]

I get lots of compliments on my garden state t shirt👍🏻

[@oscacorleone3427]

Question...? when the box turtles are inside like in this video after they defecate how quickle does it have to removed. I see snakes there are clumbs everwhere and the key spot removes them, until they do the big deep clean..

[@rexirwin1283]

Give sum clues how to raise them inside during cold weather, thank U & GOD bless

[@NOCthtgy]

I have a baby box turtle that was hatched in the pen. Do you recommend leaving it there when broomation starts or should I bring it inside?

[@dannymartin2300]

And do you know where I can get one

[@eli08miqui09]

Look them up on Craigslist near you.

[@carmenmendez6836]

My granddaughter has a turtle, it's a water turtle?, she just set him in a 40 gallons aquarium as he outgrown his 10 gallons, don't know much about it, what kind is but I just shared ur page with her. Can you talk about tortoises too(the difference from land turtles?) so she can learn more? Thanks 👍!

[@chriswalls5831]

Get a few of these for my yard with pond some ducks also

[@silentscales8631]

thank god finally I found a Vid about this. my Terrapene Mexicana babies just hatched

[@chuckh8795]

How do you find the eggs in the outdoor enclosures?

[@garycantalupo3090]

Can you help a baby out of its shell, or will it just come out eventually?

[@pablokatorgini]

Hi. Thank you for video. Are baby box turtles able to hide in their shells right after hatching or it takes some time for them to learn to do that? If it does how long?

[@hvgoldart]

Great information! Could you go into detail about some of your predator deterrent security set up?

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks! Yes for sure, I have a video in the works all about that topic that I’m hoping to finish soon.

[@phan643]

Will a mash help a baby box turtle who has not been eating much?