My basic info
Here's what the humans have to say about me:
I am an adult male eastern box turtle for adoption in the Baltimore area. I'm for adoption because my family had to move and couldn't take me with them. Since the nice people at MATTS don't know where my original habitat is, and I was mixed with other turtles from other areas, I have to stay a pet (I can't be released to the wild now; it's the law).
I'm a typical male box turtle, and I can live outside starting in late May. A backyard pen should be screened in completely to keep out rats and raccoons. It should have lots of room for exploring and digging and soaking in a water pan or shallow pond designed just for box turtles. I can hibernate outside next winter, or live indoors over the winter.
For my indoor winter pen, or if I'm indoors permanently, a "turtle table" would be a good home, and it should at least 8 square feet of space, along with a substrate such as aged hardwood bark mulch, a water pan, artificial plants for hiding, and a heat light and UVB light over one end. Visit our Care and Housing section at www.matts-turtles.org or e-mail matts_adoptions@ hotmail.com to see ideas for making a table and the best article on indoor box turtle care available. To learn more about box turtles, visit http://www.boxturtlesite.org/ or pick up a copy of Box Turtles by Tess Cook, available in most pet stores. To find instructions for a simple backyard box turtle enclosure, visit http://www.billsboxturtles.com
I am eating the diet recommended here, but my foster family uses Mazuri or Zoo Med Growth Formula aquatic turtle food as the base of the diet (always soaked in water of course): http://www.boxturtlefacts.org/Box_Turtle_Diet.pdf I love earthworms and tomatoes, but I need variety in my diet to stay healthy.
Keep in mind that males may harass lone females to the point of illness or death, and will likely fight with other males unless you have a VERY large enclosure with lots of visual barriers and hide spots, so it's probably best if I'm a single turtle unless you have a huge backyard enclosure for the summer. I'm am especially agrressive to other turtles (but not people).
I had an ear infection at one point, but it was treated with antibiotics and I'm fine now. I start out a little shy, but once I learn who's bringing the food, I warm up to my person. I don't like being handled often, though.
There's a $25 adoption fee for adult box turtles. In the spring, shipping is possible IF the temperature allows it, and if adopters pay for shipping (usually $40- $100 depending on your location) and it is legal in your state to have an eastern box turtle. Local adopters pick up near downtown Baltimore, Timonium, or Parkton, MD, after being approved for adoption. Our turtles come with a no sale/no trade adoption contract, and the marginals are notched for easy visual ID.
To request an application and a picture of a simple temporary indoor enclosure, e-mail matts_adoptions@hotmail.com - make sure to indicate your CITY and STATE.
I cannot be adopted to GA, TN, PA, NY, or points north of PA and NY on the eastern shore due to regulations in those states. Residents of NJ, IN, and OH require a permit for EBTs. Maryland residents may require a permit IF they already have an eastern box turtle. If I'm your only box turtle, then you don't need a permit in Maryland.
Check www.matts-turtles.org for more information on owning a turtle.
Like turtles but can't have one? Want to help? MATTS accepts tax-deductible donations at MATTS, P.O. Box 22321, Baltimore, MD 21203, or through PayPal at http://www.matts-turtles.org/support.html.
Rescue is funded by donations only, and we find homes for over 100 animals a year.
