Foods should be varied in texture as well. Excessive soft or finely chopped foods will result in overgrown beaks. To prevent ingestion of the flooring material all food should be placed on a separate clean plate. Food should be offered every day to hatchlings, every other day to older turtles. 4 Health When properly cared for, box turtles are remarkably free of diseases.
Some problems require immediate veterinary care.
These include swollen eyes or nasal discharge, swollen lumps on the neck, worms in the fecal material, open wounds, consistent loose stools, loss of appetite, and mouth rot. Whitish areas on the shell may be fungus or shell rot and require attention. Be sure to seek out a vet that is familiar with turtles. When given a proper diet, vitamin and mineral supplements should not be necessary. Membership and care information is available at our meetings.