The Keeled Box Turtle by Holly Bolton https://padlet.com/hollycbolton/z4er2kw3tdq9w0ge en-us 2021-09-11 11:13:59 UTC 2021-09-13 08:34:03 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f422.png IUCN Status hollycbolton https://padlet.com/hollycbolton/z4er2kw3tdq9w0ge/wish/1732490157 The IUCN stands for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and it is an organisation made up of international governments and smaller societies that advocates for the sustainable use of natural resources and campaigns for conservation of the natural world. The IUCN has a list of all biological species and determines how at risk of endangerment and extinction they are. The Keeled Box Turtle is in the Red List Category and is defined as 'endangered', and it is estimated that there is less than 2,500 of these turtles left in the wild.

Sources: 
https://www.iucn.org/resources/conservation-tools/iucn-red-list-threatened-species

https://www.worldlandtrust.org/species/reptiles/keeled-box-turtle/]]> 2021-09-11 11:31:35 UTC https://padlet.com/hollycbolton/z4er2kw3tdq9w0ge/wish/1732490157 Habitat hollycbolton https://padlet.com/hollycbolton/z4er2kw3tdq9w0ge/wish/1732496279 As opposed to most species of turtle, the keeled box turtle lives in dense, tropical forests of Asia, and are typically found in Thailand, Myanmar, China, Vietnam and are sometimes found in the more mountainous areas. They may also live in caves or in layers of leaves. Keeled box turtles are known as terrestrial animals, meaning they almost entirely live on land. Due to the large amount of deforestation in these areas, the population of keeled box turtles has seen a dramatic decline in recent years. 

Sources:

https://www.thainationalparks.com/species/keeled-box-turtle

https://www.worldlandtrust.org/species/reptiles/keeled-box-turtle/]]> 2021-09-11 11:40:43 UTC https://padlet.com/hollycbolton/z4er2kw3tdq9w0ge/wish/1732496279 Wild and Captive Diet hollycbolton https://padlet.com/hollycbolton/z4er2kw3tdq9w0ge/wish/1732503553 Keeled box turtles in the wild are typically omnivorous, and their diet largely consists of natural vegetation and leaves, fallen fruit from high up trees, and they sometimes eat snails and worms. Looking at what these turtles eat in the wild, diets can be adapted for captive living. Many captive turtles receive predominantly plant-based diets, consisting of vegetation, fruits and vegetables, but mealworms, earthworms and a feed known as turtle chow, which is a commercial feed type, high in fibre and is generally given to dry land, herbivorous tortoises and turtles. 

Sources: 

http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/

https://www.thainationalparks.com/species/keeled-box-turtle]]> 2021-09-11 11:51:17 UTC https://padlet.com/hollycbolton/z4er2kw3tdq9w0ge/wish/1732503553 Accommodation Requirements hollycbolton https://padlet.com/hollycbolton/z4er2kw3tdq9w0ge/wish/1732524855 As mentioned, keeled box turtles are terrestrial creatures, so they don't need a big pool or pond like other species of turtle, although, they have been observed to spend a lot of time in soaking pools, which are more shallow trays or dishes, as they can't swim well in deep bodies of water. For a turtle, keeled box turtles have a uniquely high gait, meaning they are unusually good walkers, so having adequate space is essential.
For temperature and humidity, keeled box turtles don't necessarily need to have a heat lamp as accommodation should be kept at around 21 degrees C, but creating a temperature gradient is an advantage as helps turtles to regulate body temperature. For humidity, keeled box turtles thrive in around 50%-70% humidity, so to increase this, you can spray the enclosure, ensure soaking pools are warmer water and use absorbent substrate like soil and include live plants. Live plants also act as a shade and hide, as keeled box turtles don't like bright lights. For this reason, a hide area is very important. 
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 states that animals must be kept in suitable social groupings or away from other animals; these turtles can be kept in groups but it is not recommended to keep groups of opposite sex together due to males being potentially aggressive towards females. 

Sources:

https://theturtleroom.org/blog/2014/04/25/cuora-mouhotii-obsti-acclimation-care/



]]> 2021-09-11 12:20:27 UTC https://padlet.com/hollycbolton/z4er2kw3tdq9w0ge/wish/1732524855 Captive Breeding hollycbolton https://padlet.com/hollycbolton/z4er2kw3tdq9w0ge/wish/1732541388 Due to the high rate of deforestation and demand for keeled box turtles in the wildlife trafficking trade that is especially popular in Vietnam and China, these turtles are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. 
There are a few turtle conservation programmes that aim to sustain threatened populations, such as the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) and the Asian Turtle Program (ATP). In 2016, the TCC successfully hatched 13 from 19 eggs that were rescued from a trafficking raid. Ways to make hatching much more successful, the TCC used chiller incubators to store the eggs in the hot Vietnamese summer. This was crucial as high temperatures can kill eggs. 
Although it is extremely difficult to reintroduce captive turtles into the wild, organisations like the TCC and ATP are campaigning against poaching and deforestation and they are combatting these issues by patrolling habitats to deter poachers and removing snares, which are traps for catching animals. 

Sources: 

https://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2017/07/turtle-hatchlings-mark-conservation-success-in-vietnam/]]> 2021-09-11 12:40:33 UTC https://padlet.com/hollycbolton/z4er2kw3tdq9w0ge/wish/1732541388