Comments on: Good morning, sleepyhead! Spring brings the turtles out to play http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/04/02/good-morning-sleepyhead-spring-brings-the-turtles-out-to-play/ Blogging by a team of pet-care experts. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:26:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Lisa http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/04/02/good-morning-sleepyhead-spring-brings-the-turtles-out-to-play/comment-page-1/#comment-507080 Lisa Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:13:04 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=6212#comment-507080 Hello My box turtle didn't hibernate this winter. He lives inside an aquarium near the french doors. He seems to be trying to hibernate now, is that possible?hibernating He is sluggish and sleeping and occasionally walks to a new spot. He went in the water yesterday. He looks healthy his shell and eyes look good. I don't know what to do for him, do you have any suggestions? thanks Lisa Hello
My box turtle didn’t hibernate this winter. He lives inside an aquarium near the french doors.
He seems to be trying to hibernate now, is that possible?hibernating
He is sluggish and sleeping and occasionally walks to a new spot. He went in the water yesterday. He looks healthy his shell and eyes look good. I don’t know what to do for him, do you have any suggestions?
thanks
Lisa

]]> By: Elaine http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/04/02/good-morning-sleepyhead-spring-brings-the-turtles-out-to-play/comment-page-1/#comment-433698 Elaine Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:47:58 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=6212#comment-433698 Just a question: someone gave me two box turtles last summer. They are in pen in the back yard. The little one recently came out of brumation and he (she?) is doing just fine. He even hissed at me when I picked him up today. The big one is still not active. He just has his limbs spread out and is very limp. Does that sound normal? I soaked him for a few minutes today and now the head has come out a little bit. I have never had box turtles before. Elaine Just a question: someone gave me two box turtles last summer. They are in pen in the back yard. The little one recently came out of brumation and he (she?) is doing just fine. He even hissed at me when I picked him up today. The big one is still not active. He just has his limbs spread out and is very limp. Does that sound normal? I soaked him for a few minutes today and now the head has come out a little bit. I have never had box turtles before.
Elaine

]]> By: The OTHER Pat http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/04/02/good-morning-sleepyhead-spring-brings-the-turtles-out-to-play/comment-page-1/#comment-426046 The OTHER Pat Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:53:32 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=6212#comment-426046 Liz - have you seen this one: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-669 I haven't had the time (or energy!) to read through it yet, but apparently it's causing some concern. Liz - have you seen this one:

http://www.govtrack.us/congres.....l=h111-669

I haven’t had the time (or energy!) to read through it yet, but apparently it’s causing some concern.

]]> By: kasie http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/04/02/good-morning-sleepyhead-spring-brings-the-turtles-out-to-play/comment-page-1/#comment-424201 kasie Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:51:11 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=6212#comment-424201 Hi Susan, Yes, some species can live where you are happily year-around (the ubiquitous Red Eared Slider comes to mind - RES are native to the US, non-native to CA, but have naturalized here very well indeed - they do wonderfully here in the man-made ponds and water features in SF all year). However, to be responsible about it - you'd want to ensure predators did not have easy as pie access by making some modifications (though having it well-planted with lots of hiding places helps A LOT) and also be sure to enclose the pond area so that your non-native species would not escape. For my 4'x8' "urban sized" enclosure, I have framed 1/4 inch wire mesh locking lids on hinges and our entire yard/garden is enclosed for the cat with the Cat Fence-In System (the kind that keeps other animals out, too). For an area as large as yours is, it would be impractical to cover the entire area but you could build a fence for the pond itself (you'd need to dig down at least 18" to put the fence in so the turtle doesn’t dig out and raccoons and such don't dig in). Raccoons just LOVE to eat turtles. Great Blue Herons can sometimes kill and eat them, too. Might be worth contacting a local turtle group for more information as well as finding a healthy rescue turtle to adopt. Down here the city shelters typically get a lot of the RES in, but if you adopt from an actual turtle rescue or knowledgeable person, you may have a better overall experience and end up with a healthier turtle, too. Oh BTW - your turtle will eat some of your fish, so you need to be prepared for that aspect of turtledom. Helpful orgs to google are included below: BAARS (Bay Area group - check out their links section!) California Turtle & Tortoise Club V. A. Haecky's Turtle Information Pages Melissa Kaplan's site (anapsid) World Chelonian Trust (lots of good info here) Hi Susan,

Yes, some species can live where you are happily year-around (the ubiquitous Red Eared Slider comes to mind - RES are native to the US, non-native to CA, but have naturalized here very well indeed - they do wonderfully here in the man-made ponds and water features in SF all year). However, to be responsible about it - you’d want to ensure predators did not have easy as pie access by making some modifications (though having it well-planted with lots of hiding places helps A LOT) and also be sure to enclose the pond area so that your non-native species would not escape. For my 4’x8’ “urban sized” enclosure, I have framed 1/4 inch wire mesh locking lids on hinges and our entire yard/garden is enclosed for the cat with the Cat Fence-In System (the kind that keeps other animals out, too). For an area as large as yours is, it would be impractical to cover the entire area but you could build a fence for the pond itself (you’d need to dig down at least 18” to put the fence in so the turtle doesn’t dig out and raccoons and such don’t dig in). Raccoons just LOVE to eat turtles. Great Blue Herons can sometimes kill and eat them, too. Might be worth contacting a local turtle group for more information as well as finding a healthy rescue turtle to adopt. Down here the city shelters typically get a lot of the RES in, but if you adopt from an actual turtle rescue or knowledgeable person, you may have a better overall experience and end up with a healthier turtle, too. Oh BTW - your turtle will eat some of your fish, so you need to be prepared for that aspect of turtledom. Helpful orgs to google are included below:

BAARS (Bay Area group - check out their links section!)

California Turtle & Tortoise Club

V. A. Haecky’s Turtle Information Pages

Melissa Kaplan’s site (anapsid)

World Chelonian Trust (lots of good info here)

]]> By: Sharon H http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/04/02/good-morning-sleepyhead-spring-brings-the-turtles-out-to-play/comment-page-1/#comment-423588 Sharon H Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:40:07 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=6212#comment-423588 Liz, what a welcome addition to the petconnection site! I have an eastern box turtle, my little Sammi girl. Sammi paid us a visit on Tuesday, poking her head out for the first time in well over a month. My mom (just out of a chemo session) and myself (fried to a crisp from radiation) took this sweet girl out of her tank and gave her a bath to warm her up and hydrate her. A few strawberries and a grape tomato and she's getting back to her sassy self. Sammi was a wonderful reminder of spring and renewal. Sammi begs like a dog every morning and walks around this house like she owns it. Whoever said turtles are slow haven't met Sammi. She loves to take her strolls through the house, with supervision, of course. The cats can't quite figure her out but leave her to her turtle business. She's most fond of shredded mulch for burrowing. And messing up her home right after I've tidied things up. Sammi is without a doubt the cutest animal I have ever owned. I'm loving the turtle blogging - just love it! Thanks so much! Liz, what a welcome addition to the petconnection site! I have an eastern box turtle, my little Sammi girl.

Sammi paid us a visit on Tuesday, poking her head out for the first time in well over a month. My mom (just out of a chemo session) and myself (fried to a crisp from radiation) took this sweet girl out of her tank and gave her a bath to warm her up and hydrate her. A few strawberries and a grape tomato and she’s getting back to her sassy self. Sammi was a wonderful reminder of spring and renewal.

Sammi begs like a dog every morning and walks around this house like she owns it. Whoever said turtles are slow haven’t met Sammi. She loves to take her strolls through the house, with supervision, of course. The cats can’t quite figure her out but leave her to her turtle business.

She’s most fond of shredded mulch for burrowing. And messing up her home right after I’ve tidied things up. Sammi is without a doubt the cutest animal I have ever owned.

I’m loving the turtle blogging - just love it! Thanks so much!

]]> By: Susan Fox http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/04/02/good-morning-sleepyhead-spring-brings-the-turtles-out-to-play/comment-page-1/#comment-423374 Susan Fox Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:14:56 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=6212#comment-423374 Thanks, Liz, I'll do that. Thanks, Liz, I’ll do that.

]]> By: Liz Palika http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/04/02/good-morning-sleepyhead-spring-brings-the-turtles-out-to-play/comment-page-1/#comment-423370 Liz Palika Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:09:20 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=6212#comment-423370 Glad to read there are turtle fans here! Susan, I am not familar with your area so don't know what turtles would thrive there. Western pond turtles live from Washington south through Baja California, but they can be quite shy and might not tolerate any attention from the cats or dog. Do an internet search and find out if there is a turtle and tortoise club in your area. They would be able to tell you more. Good luck. Glad to read there are turtle fans here!

Susan, I am not familar with your area so don’t know what turtles would thrive there. Western pond turtles live from Washington south through Baja California, but they can be quite shy and might not tolerate any attention from the cats or dog.

Do an internet search and find out if there is a turtle and tortoise club in your area. They would be able to tell you more.

Good luck.

]]> By: Susan Fox http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/04/02/good-morning-sleepyhead-spring-brings-the-turtles-out-to-play/comment-page-1/#comment-423310 Susan Fox Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:11:29 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=6212#comment-423310 We live in Humboldt County about two days drive north of you on an acre about a mile inland from the ocean. We've put in a big 40'x50'pond that is from a few inches to a little over 4 ft. deep. There are currently goldfish and mosquito fish, that we introduced, and two species of frogs that have shown up on their own. We get lots of tadpoles, so the frogs seem to find it to their liking. It's lined, but is really a wildlife pond with branches piled in it at both ends for cover and an attached small bog garden with cattails, tule and native iris. The entire property has 6' fencing around it. We have four cats and a collie dog. Is there a species of turtle that would be appropriate for our situation that could happily live down at the pond and do its own thing with us supplying some food? We live in Humboldt County about two days drive north of you on an acre about a mile inland from the ocean.

We’ve put in a big 40’x50’pond that is from a few inches to a little over 4 ft. deep. There are currently goldfish and mosquito fish, that we introduced, and two species of frogs that have shown up on their own. We get lots of tadpoles, so the frogs seem to find it to their liking.

It’s lined, but is really a wildlife pond with branches piled in it at both ends for cover and an attached small bog garden with cattails, tule and native iris. The entire property has 6’ fencing around it.

We have four cats and a collie dog. Is there a species of turtle that would be appropriate for our situation that could happily live down at the pond and do its own thing with us supplying some food?

]]> By: kasie http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/04/02/good-morning-sleepyhead-spring-brings-the-turtles-out-to-play/comment-page-1/#comment-423282 kasie Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:46:37 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=6212#comment-423282 Yay -- turtle blogging! Thanks for sharing – great photo! I have both a male and female Three Toed Box Turtle; during the last few weeks they’ve been coming out of their straw pile in their outdoor enclosure (in San Francisco, CA). Sadly, my female - newest acquisition (I've had her just under two years – first season I overwintered her in an indoor set-up and did not allow her to brumate) came out with multiple health problems. :( Thankfully, she's improved dramatically while indoors getting special care in a hospital set-up. The male (in his 30s) I've had since 1992 - he was a rescue that had been chewed up by a dog and kept in a filthy cold water tank - is doing great. I also have a wonderful, people-loving 30+ yr old female Reeves that I've had since 1992. Before these guys, I adopted a large adult male Softshell turtle that was incredibly destructive – he destroyed anything within reach in his tank – eventually I had to set-up a tank divider for his heater and filtration system. He had chewed up a heater once – that was just awful, but he somehow lived through it just fine!! He loved to play with/attack/shake “kill” and carry around floating rubber dog toys in his tank. I had Neptune for many years (passed away at about 20-25 years old??, which was really sad, but from what I could tell, was an average/respectable enough age for that particular species – some species of Softshells can live a lot longer though). Turtles are a big part of my family here (along with the birds, Great Danes, and kitty). The Danes and I just came home from the garden center where we bought a bunch of organic edibles to plant in the turtle enclosure – lots of strawberries, squash, tomatoes (right now, I’m buying them strawberries to eat but they like them right off the plant). The special “turtle mix” grass and broadloaf plant seeds I planted about a month ago are sprouting nicely already and the worms are abundant enough to feed everyone (including our 10-yr old Goldfish, Poppy) in the corner of the enclosure reserved for compost (which we add only turtle safe scraps to – no onion, coffee, black tea, etc.) Nice to hear of other Box Turtles living outdoors in California - keep the turtle blogs coming! Yay — turtle blogging! Thanks for sharing – great photo! I have both a male and female Three Toed Box Turtle; during the last few weeks they’ve been coming out of their straw pile in their outdoor enclosure (in San Francisco, CA). Sadly, my female - newest acquisition (I’ve had her just under two years – first season I overwintered her in an indoor set-up and did not allow her to brumate) came out with multiple health problems. :( Thankfully, she’s improved dramatically while indoors getting special care in a hospital set-up. The male (in his 30s) I’ve had since 1992 - he was a rescue that had been chewed up by a dog and kept in a filthy cold water tank - is doing great. I also have a wonderful, people-loving 30+ yr old female Reeves that I’ve had since 1992. Before these guys, I adopted a large adult male Softshell turtle that was incredibly destructive – he destroyed anything within reach in his tank – eventually I had to set-up a tank divider for his heater and filtration system. He had chewed up a heater once – that was just awful, but he somehow lived through it just fine!! He loved to play with/attack/shake “kill” and carry around floating rubber dog toys in his tank. I had Neptune for many years (passed away at about 20-25 years old??, which was really sad, but from what I could tell, was an average/respectable enough age for that particular species – some species of Softshells can live a lot longer though). Turtles are a big part of my family here (along with the birds, Great Danes, and kitty). The Danes and I just came home from the garden center where we bought a bunch of organic edibles to plant in the turtle enclosure – lots of strawberries, squash, tomatoes (right now, I’m buying them strawberries to eat but they like them right off the plant). The special “turtle mix” grass and broadloaf plant seeds I planted about a month ago are sprouting nicely already and the worms are abundant enough to feed everyone (including our 10-yr old Goldfish, Poppy) in the corner of the enclosure reserved for compost (which we add only turtle safe scraps to – no onion, coffee, black tea, etc.) Nice to hear of other Box Turtles living outdoors in California - keep the turtle blogs coming!

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