Eastern Box Turtles

[WingedMonkey]

In order to have eggs to got to have mating. It's almost an unpleasant thing to see. The female box turtle allows the male to place his rear legs into the opening of her shell and then clamps down on them. She then proceeds to drag him around while they copulate.

[Pedaling Fool]

While cycling, I often see turtles on the side of the road attempting to cross, so I always help them. I've seen the box turtle, but I've also seen a type of turtle that kind of looks like a box, but bigger, maybe a subspecies, just seems much bigger than the typical.

I once saved a Florida soft-shelled turtle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_softshell_turtle by picking it up and dropping it in the water near a pipe that goes under the road (the direction it was headed). They (the females) can get pretty big, this one was about 30lbs and very strong. Their neck is also longer than most turtles, so you gotta be careful of the mouth. A 30 lb FSS turtle is difficult to carry, because they don't go into their shell like a box turtle, they're flapping their feet and trying to whip their head around to get a chunk out of you. Luckily I haven't had to rescue a snapping turtle yet, not sure if I would.

[atmilkman]

While cycling, I often see turtles on the side of the road attempting to cross, so I always help them. I've seen the box turtle, but I've also seen a type of turtle that kind of looks like a box, but bigger, maybe a subspecies, just seems much bigger than the typical.

I once saved a Florida soft-shelled turtle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_softshell_turtle by picking it up and dropping it in the water near a pipe that goes under the road (the direction it was headed). They (the females) can get pretty big, this one was about 30lbs and very strong. Their neck is also longer than most turtles, so you gotta be careful of the mouth. A 30 lb FSS turtle is difficult to carry, because they don't go into their shell like a box turtle, they're flapping their feet and trying to whip their head around to get a chunk out of you. Luckily I haven't had to rescue a snapping turtle yet, not sure if I would.

I was at Jonathan Dickenson one time in the swimming area just sitting in about knee deep water when a soft shell came cruising across my thighs. I could feel every one of his feet hitting both legs. I couldn't get out of that water fast enough. (lol) My ex says what's wrong, I said "nothing" later on she says aren't you getting back in, I said nah I'm done. Haven't been back in the swimming area since. That was back in the late 70's.

[WingedMonkey]

Haven't been back in the swimming area since. That was back in the late 70's.

That was when swimming was still allowed in the Loxahatchee and the river was fresh water with cypress trees, now it's mangrove trees and brackish water and no swimming hole.

[rocketsocks]

I have seen more and more snapping turtles over the last several years,and less and less painters and box turtles.Turtles do fight with one another,just thinking maybe the box is on the decline,and some other species is on the advance.???Or maybe water conditions are changing,that then only allows for a certain type to flourish,again.???

[WingedMonkey]

This is about 45 mins of one of my box turtles nesting edited down to the 30 seconds of O-M-G.

[bflorac]

Ran into one on a ridge one rainy afternoon two weeks ago just south of the Bryant Ridge Shelter.

[Wise Old Owl]

She laid three eggs, which is kinda typical. I've had them lay four or sometimes only one or two. The eggs are oblong and about 1 1/4 inches long.
Here is a pic of them in the damp vermiculite I incubate them in. I brushed it back for the pic.

Attachment 16194

Hey great thread - but oh well I am going to go there - you packed the eggs in Asbestos! Vermiculite killed so many miners The town is almost abandoned. Do not ever touch use or whatever.... To this day, because I crawled through it personally... it has weighed on my thoughts. ADT will not install an alarm system if that stuff is in the attic.-- ok enough said - lets move on.... love the turtle

[WingedMonkey]

Hey great thread - but oh well I am going to go there - you packed the eggs in Asbestos! Vermiculite killed so many miners The town is almost abandoned. Do not ever touch use or whatever.... To this day, because I crawled through it personally... it has weighed on my thoughts. ADT will not install an alarm system if that stuff is in the attic.-- ok enough said - lets move on.... love the turtle

Pure vermiculite does not contain asbestos and is non-toxic.

[Wise Old Owl]

hey if you have new information great - but I am done with that stuff. Honest.

[vamelungeon]

I've seen at least 2 dozen this year near my home. I don't know about other places but they aren't becoming rare here.

[WingedMonkey]

hey if you have new information great - but I am done with that stuff. Honest.

http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html

A mine near Libby, Montana was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the U.S. from 1919 to 1990. There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine, so the vermiculite from Libby was contaminated with asbestos. Vermiculite from Libby was used in the majority of vermiculite insulation in the U.S. and was often sold under the brand name Zonolite. If you have vermiculite insulation in your home, you should assume this material may be contaminated with asbestos and be aware of steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from exposure to asbestos.

While the stuff used all those years as insulation may be contaminated. That mine is not the source of the vermiculite now sold at thousands and thousands of garden centers, Home Depots and Lowes across the country. You may be wise to avoid old attic insulation but what is on the market now is safe and asbestos free.

[Feral Bill]

http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html


A mine near Libby, Montana was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the U.S. from 1919 to 1990. There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine, so the vermiculite from Libby was contaminated with asbestos. Vermiculite from Libby was used in the majority of vermiculite insulation in the U.S. and was often sold under the brand name Zonolite. If you have vermiculite insulation in your home, you should assume this material may be contaminated with asbestos and be aware of steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from exposure to asbestos.

To add to this, many people in Libby have died fron the contamination of the town. No criminal penalties ensued.

[chief]

To add to this, many people in Libby have died fron the contamination of the town. No criminal penalties ensued.

That's very misleading, in fact the company and employees were found NOT GUILTY of criminal conduct.

[WingedMonkey]

She laid three eggs, which is kinda typical. I've had them lay four or sometimes only one or two. The eggs are oblong and about 1 1/4 inches long.
Here is a pic of them in the damp vermiculite I incubate them in. I brushed it back for the pic.

Attachment 16194

It usually takes longer but I guess the daily heat of 90 plus hastened things up.

The first one starting peeking out of the egg today, less than 60 days after being laid.

New Hatch.JPG

[Feral Bill]

That's very misleading, in fact the company and employees were found NOT GUILTY of criminal conduct.

Maybe so, but the people are just as dead.

[WingedMonkey]

Two days after hatching. No wonder you never see a baby in the woods.

Two day old hatchling.JPG

[rickb]

Good commercial:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4N5OIup...%3D4N5OIup6gvI

[illabelle]

Good commercial:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4N5OIup...%3D4N5OIup6gvI

now that was just plain sweet!

[aficion]

See below.