Articles
Published June 13, 2010
Turtle derbies pose health hazards to humans and turtles, cause an enormous amount of distress to the animals, and contribute to the decline of our native box turtle populations.
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Published June 23, 2010
Excessive growth of the beak and claws is common in captive chelonians. Such overgrowth can be due to a number of causes, most of which are avoidable with good husbandry.
Published June 23, 2010
Eastern box turtles are omnivorous in the wild, eating a wide array of both plant and animal matter. Their diet in captivity should likewise be varied to encourage a strong feeding response and to promote good health. It should include a variety of vegetables, raw leafy greens, fruits and berries, and high-quality animal protein.
Published June 25, 2010
A common diagnosis of sick chelonians includes “hypovitaminosis A,” or vitamin A deficiency. However, many of the symptoms of hypovitaminosis A are the same as those of other disorders, including “hypervitaminosis A,” or the excessive accumulation of vitamin A in the body.
Published June 25, 2010
In chelonians, the colon, the urinary bladder, the penis of males, the oviducts and shell glands of females, and the cloaca itself may prolapse, that is, slip from their normal position, move down the cloaca and pass out through the anal vent.
Published June 25, 2010
This problem is quite common in captive chelonians, and is largely avoidable through sound husbandry practices. It is also a common problem in wild box turtles for reasons that are not well understood. This potentially life-threatening problem is easily resolved with proper medical care.
Published June 25, 2010
This pond system solves the problems of temperature spikes and water quality while providing a safe environment for box turtles.
