Understanding Box Turtle Poop – What’s Normal and What Isn’t

By far the most common species of pet turtle is the popular box turtle. There are four subspecies of the common box turtle that are available to buy at pet stores: the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), the three-toed box turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis), the Gulf Coast box turtle (Terrapene carolina major), and the ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata). The ornate box turtle is the smallest and has a shorter lifespan.

If you own another species of turtle, most of this information will apply, but you should check with your veterinarian about any specific requirements for your specific pet turtle.

Box turtles can make great pets if cared for properly. Before bringing any pet home, be sure to research its dietary and housing requirements. Box turtles are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal-based foods. Proper knowledge about diet, housing, and health issues before you acquire a box turtle will help prepare you and your new turtle for a long, healthy relationship.

Unlike tortoises, most box turtles do not get very large. The average adult size of a box turtle is roughly 5–7 inches (13 cm–18 cm) in diameter, with females being slightly smaller than males. If well fed and cared for, they reach this adult size by 4 to 6 years of age. Pet turtles that are not allowed to hibernate grow at a faster rate, as hibernation slows down growth and metabolism. Box turtles reach sexual maturity in about the fifth year of life. With proper diet and housing, captive box turtles usually live up to 20 years, but some have been reported to live 30 to 40 years.

Is infection with Salmonella bacteria a concern with box turtles?

Turtles are commonly incriminated as a cause of Salmonella bacterial infection in children. Salmonellosis is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Infected animals and people carry the bacteria in their gastrointestinal tracts and shed the bacteria in their feces, serving as a source of infection to others. Although turtles are certainly not the only reptiles that can carry Salmonella, most turtles carry the infection asymptomatically, in that they do not show signs of illness.

In susceptible people and animals, Salmonellosis can cause severe gastrointestinal disease, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, fever, or septicemia (blood infection). Young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised humans are most at risk of developing severe and sometimes fatal disease from Salmonella bacteria.

During the mid-1970s, some young children contracted Salmonella from their pet turtles. Many of these children did not exercise proper hygiene (such as washing their hands after handling the turtles and even placing the turtles in their mouths). Legislation was then passed in the United States making it illegal to sell turtles with a shell length smaller than 4 inches (10 cm) to try to prevent children from putting small turtles into their mouths. Before purchasing a turtle, check the laws in your municipality regarding legal ownership of pet turtles.

Prevention, through proper hygiene, is the best way to prevent Salmonellosis. Properly clean and disinfect the turtle’s tank every time it is soiled. Clean up all feces right away. Have a dedicated area for cleaning reptiles’ items, separate from the area where human items are cleaned. Most importantly, wash your hands thoroughly with disinfectant soap after handling your turtle, feeding your turtle, or cleaning its cage items. Since most turtles that carry Salmonella bacteria are not clinically ill, they usually require no treatment.

Is there any difference in appearance between the sexes in box turtles?

In general, males have a more concave plastron than females. This concavity allows the male to more easily mount the female for mating. Males are slightly larger than females and usually have longer and thicker tails, which facilitates easier maneuvering during mating. Also, the distance between the vent and the back edge of the shell is greater in males. Finally, male box turtles have red irises, while females have yellow-brown irises.

How to Get Your BoxTurtle to Poop

FAQ

What does a box turtle poop look like?

It depends on your turtle’s diet, but is fairly distinguishable from food, it looks like miniature human waste. Color can vary, anywhere from puke green to orange, to dark brown, and can be hard and solid, to runny and mashed up.

What time of year do box turtle eggs hatch?

If the eggs survive, they will hatch in late summer to early fall (about 2 months after being laid). If they hatch in the fall, the young turtles may spend the winter in the nest and come out the following spring. As soon as the young turtles hatch, they are on their own and receive no care from the adults.

Do you have to clean up turtle poop?

You don’t have to, but if you do catch them before they break apart, you can. That much less that gets into the filter, which means a little bit less work for it. Or you can leave it, since that’s kind of part of the filters job. If it’s not a large turtle (large poop) then it probably isn’t much of an issue.

How to know if a turtle is constipated?

symptoms of constipation include if a tortoise defecates less than twice a week when the animals are eating normally.Apr 11, 2024

What does box turtle poop look like?

Box turtle poop is usually a log or pellet, which looks similar to healthy human poop. The size is determined by the size of your turtle, with the amount being determined by what your pet has eaten. Box turtle poop can vary inconsistency, it can be dry or tacky, it can be brown or green. Healthy poop is usually a brown shade and relatively solid.

Do box turtles poop in water?

Only terrestrial turtles like the American Box Turtles (Terrapene spp.) should have the white component. Again, the consistency should be reasonably solid, though this can be hard to determine when they poop in the water rather than on land. For the most part, turtle faeces in water do keep their shape, and look like oval, brown pellets.

Why do box turtles poop?

It helps you identify when there could potentially be a problem that needs immediate treatment. Box turtles will urinate and defecate to eliminate the waste, the same as other pets. The shape, consistency and color of the poop are determined by numerous factors, including diet.

How do you get a box turtle to poop?

Fiber-rich foods include dark, leafy greens. In order to help a box turtle that is constipated, you can provide it with a warm water bath, covering the lower shell and ensuring your pet’s head remains above the water. The warmth of the water helps to relax the muscles, encouraging your pet to poop. Impaction is often confused with constipation.

How often should a box turtle poop?

Adult box turtles with a shell length of 4 inches (10cm) should poop every three to four days. If you notice your adult box turtle is pooping daily or less than once a week, there is something not right. There are three reasons why your box turtle may not be pooping at all.

Is turtle poop big or small?

Size-wise, turtle poop can be very small or rather big – it all depends on your turtle and its size. There is no ‘normal’ poop size so if your turtle’s poop varies from lots of little pellets one day to a few larger pellets a couple of days later, then that is normal and not a sign of a bigger problem. What A Healthy Poop Means