help me identify this tortoise and keep it from dying - General

[img]http://24.media.tumblr.com/ffd5f0ef31a0c2efd2d49fcd394bea96/tumblr_msfamzCrfV1rz45jho1_500.jpg[/img] i found this tortoise in the street in el paso texas and so i picked it up and took it home, can anyone help me figure out what kind of tortoise it is and explain to me how to keep it from dying? i know some of you nerds must have pet tortoises so help me out thanks

It doesn't look Texas local, so it was probably a pet at one point. Get it into a container at least 10 times bigger than it.

Did it have a severed head on top of it?

[QUOTE=Alec W;42037713]It doesn't look Texas local, so it was probably a pet at one point. Get it into a container at least 10 times bigger than it.[/QUOTE] This is because turtles, like goldfish, and the spotted lemur, grow to fit the size of their environment. By placing it in a large container, you allow the turtle to grow much larger. Eventually, it will be able to eat tomatoes, lettuce, and small children with ease.

im getting conflicting reports on whether its a turtle or tortoise and right now i am v confused hes got claws and wiggles about pretty frantically if you pick him up, plus i found him in texas just wandering the streets so i feel like he's a tortoise but his shell looks a lot like box turtle patterns, but then again his underside has the same patterns and the underside of box turtles seems to be a solid cream color usually

Watch it doesn't bite you, some of those things carry salmonella and other grim shit in their tiny mouths

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornate_box_turtle[/url] looks like this is him. He's a box turtle, an Ornate box turtle to be precise but yeah. Those guys are cool. [editline]31st August 2013[/editline] If you want to care for it just start googling box turtle care. I had a friend who had tons of them, he kept them outside in a big enclosure so idk you might have to do the same with him. here's some random shit I found: [url]http://turtlepuddle.org/american/boxcare.html[/url] [url]http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Your-Box-Turtle[/url]

[QUOTE=postal;42037774][url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornate_box_turtle[/url] looks like this is him. He's a box turtle, an Ornate box turtle to be precise but yeah. Those guys are cool.[/QUOTE] thanks a lot, this looks exactly like him so should i be able to just feed him lettuce and keep a little tray of water near him for the next 2-3 days before i can get back home and get to a pet store to get him proper set up? [editline]1st September 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=postal;42037774]If you want to care for it just start googling box turtle care. I had a friend who had tons of them, he kept them outside in a big enclosure so idk you might have to do the same with him. here's some random shit I found: [url]http://turtlepuddle.org/american/boxcare.html[/url] [url]http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Your-Box-Turtle[/url][/QUOTE] oop nvm thank you thank you

[QUOTE=Kopimi;42037806] so should i be able to just feed him lettuce and keep a little tray of water near him for the next 2-3 days before i can get back home and get to a pet store to get him proper set up?[/QUOTE] He's a reptile and is thus gonna need sunlight, get a heat lamp from some where. i've never raised land turtles before so I can't really say much more. This guy is native to texas, you might want to consider just letting him go somewhere if you can find some place that's away from roads and out in the woods. But if you really want to keep him then idk what else to do, except that you're either gonna need an outdoor enclosure or a big indoors tank for him when you get back home. [editline]31st August 2013[/editline] [url]http://www.boxturtlesite.info/indoor.html[/url] maybe this might help if you want to keep him indoors. still looks like a bit small of an enclosure to me but everything else seems nice. [editline]31st August 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Alec W;42037713]It doesn't look Texas local[/QUOTE] it is. [editline]31st August 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=woolio1;42037755]This is because turtles, like goldfish, and the spotted lemur, grow to fit the size of their environment. By placing it in a large container, you allow the turtle to grow much larger. Eventually, it will be able to eat tomatoes, lettuce, and small children with ease.[/QUOTE] It's crazy how many people out there really think this is true lol. also OP fyi this turtle is fully grown

Tell us if you find any treasure inside it

Give it some organically grown (and make sure it's CLEAN) lettuce. and a dish of water that's under 1/2 inch full. I've seen these guys push their way out of everything but the strongest enclosures, make sure whatever you put him in is both sturdy and won't get freezing at night.

Give it to the gnomes so they can go to war with General Khazard.

Hey man that looks exactly like my tortoise! We have had our tortoise for about 22 years now, no joke. If you plan on keeping him, make sure he has some water to bathe in. Enough just to reach the bottom of his shell, maybe a bit higher. From what I have heard, most turtles/tortoises don't drink water, they just use it as a means of shedding and using the bathroom. For bedding we use some pellets that help absorb a little bit of the smell from his urine, and sometimes line his tank with some newspaper. If you can find a pretty big rock lying around that helps too, they like to grind their beak on it. Like postal said, you would want to get a heat lamp too. We also have a heating pad underneath the tank so when he goes to sleep he has a warm spot (you don't want to leave your light on all the time). Also, when I say tank: our tank is a glass aquarium, big enough for him to walk around in and bathe himself. As far as feeding goes, tomatoes, lettuce, any kinds of fruits and veggies. Our tortoise will sometimes eat meat, usually chicken. You can also feed them some cat/dog food, although it is a little too fattening for them. Meal worms are also a nice treat as well. Feed them maybe every two-four days, depending on how active they are. If you have any questions that I may have missed, I'll be happy to answer!

These guys are assholes, I got bit by one on the finger once and it hurt like hell. They don't let go either, I lifted my hand in the air and the fucker was still holding on to my finger

Yo, we need to get that herpetologist who always posts photos of reptiles and amphibians in here!

it's a dog :v:

Is this going to turn into another thread where FP becomes extremely attached to this creature? I remember that kitten some dude took in a few years back. Good times.

just convert it to communism [highlight](User was banned for this post ("Meme reply" - Craptasket))[/highlight]

wheres that guy from the PoY thread who always posts pictures of him harassing reptiles and shit we need to get him on this

Keep it away from italian plummers.

I would not feed it lettuce, it is not really good for them. My box turtles like dandelion leaves, worms, pill bugs, strawberries, tomatoes, squash, etc. As well as supplemental turtle food to ensure they get the proper vitamins. Watch its eyes, they can be an indicator if your turtle's health (clear vs. cloudy, shiny vs dull). Contrary to what many believe box turtles can swim for short periods, but a shallow dish that it can climb in and out of and soak in is all you need. I would make sure it gets natural light fairly often even if you keep it indoors. The site Postal posted above should cover what you need. Box turtles are great pets, I have kept them for years, and I am sure you would enjoy keeping one. If you do decide to release it, take it back to the area you found it. [QUOTE=pansarkurt;42041511]Yo, we need to get that herpetologist who always posts photos of reptiles and amphibians in here![/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Noss;42045950]wheres that guy from the PoY thread who always posts pictures of him harassing reptiles and shit we need to get him on this[/QUOTE] Apparently I am starting to get a reputation.

just an update: decided to release it back where i found it because my dog might harass it and it'll probably be better off on its own. thanks for all the replies and advice