by Eleine on Mon Jul 04, 2011 4:29 pmMe and my fiancee Wayne found a turtle we are scared to let him stay outside cause their is tons of cats that live near us and they eat poor birds. We want to make him part of the family but want to know what all we need to take care of the little guy. Anyone that can help me would be greatly appreciated, I will try to post a picture.
Future pet turtle
Eleine- Posts: 36
Join date: 2011-03-10
Age: 22
Location: Lenoir City, Tennessee
zeketaz- Posts: 835
Join date: 2011-04-01
Age: 27
Location: Ft. Myers, Florida
Is it a land or aquatic turtle?
Eleine- Posts: 36
Join date: 2011-03-10
Age: 22
Location: Lenoir City, Tennessee
I think it is a Midland Painted turtle
zeketaz- Posts: 835
Join date: 2011-04-01
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Location: Ft. Myers, Florida
Here is a website I found on care for this particular turtle. It also has pics so you can see if they are the same turtles.
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-midland_painted.htm
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-midland_painted.htm
Eleine- Posts: 36
Join date: 2011-03-10
Age: 22
Location: Lenoir City, Tennessee
So he will be fairly easy to take care of being that their is no kids here and I am capable to take care of him.
zeketaz- Posts: 835
Join date: 2011-04-01
Age: 27
Location: Ft. Myers, Florida
Congrats on the find and good luck
Eleine- Posts: 36
Join date: 2011-03-10
Age: 22
Location: Lenoir City, Tennessee
he is not a Midland Painted at all the pictures did not match so I went through that site and found he looks a lot like this one. So that means we have a Eastern Box Turtle
zeketaz- Posts: 835
Join date: 2011-04-01
Age: 27
Location: Ft. Myers, Florida
Here's site I found for box turtles. Haven't found a picture yet, but if you need I can find a sight with info that shows the pic of the turtle.
http://www.billsboxturtles.com/
http://www.billsboxturtles.com/
Fern- Admin
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Well the best thing to do is set it up like that site says to 
FishVixen- Modorater
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OH I had a box turtle as a kid. Had him in a huge wooden box kept grass and veggies clippings ans a low bowl of water (something he will not get stuck in as they do not stay in water long they are more of a land turtle). I had mine for 6 years before I gave him away very easy to take care of. Every now and then I (around once a month)would put fish oil on lettuce for him. Now remember this was back in the early 60's so time have changed.
Eleine- Posts: 36
Join date: 2011-03-10
Age: 22
Location: Lenoir City, Tennessee
making the turtle a new home besides the cardboard box he was in last night. He likes it better he is moving around now. 
I have him in a rubber maid tote with grass, rocks, and a bowl of rain water that we received yesterday. I went out and found him some crickets and a couple slugs but he is not interested atm so i put them in their own container.
I have him in a rubber maid tote with grass, rocks, and a bowl of rain water that we received yesterday. I went out and found him some crickets and a couple slugs but he is not interested atm so i put them in their own container.
FishVixen- Modorater
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Try lettuce, carrots, apples etc... they love veggies and fruits (not citrus fruits)
Eleine- Posts: 36
Join date: 2011-03-10
Age: 22
Location: Lenoir City, Tennessee
As soon as I posted last post I went to the kitchen and grabbed an apple and cut it up and stuck it in their and he loves it! See I don't have much money but I have the things I need to keep him happy for a bit I can get him the fresh veggies and water anytime so that won't be a hassle and since i live in TN getting grass and rocks is no burden.
FishVixen- Modorater
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also make a cave he can hide in make him feel more safe.
zeketaz- Posts: 835
Join date: 2011-04-01
Age: 27
Location: Ft. Myers, Florida
Shoe box would make a great cave