Disease Resulting from Malnourishment

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Most diseases afflicting captive box turtles are, at least in

part, the result of malnutrition.  Box turtles that do not

receive all of the nutrients vital to sustain optimum health do

not remain healthy, and become ill from a variety of causes.

Hatchlings are the most prone to disease resulting from dietary

deficiencies because their nutritional requirements exceed those

of adult turtles and because their rate of growth is so rapid.

Hatchling turtles often exhibit soft shells, associated with

protein and mineral deficiencies, as well as swollen eyes, which

accompany vitamin A deficiency.  Adult box turtles, by contrast,

are unlikely to exhibit soft shell problems but may show signs of

anemia, weight loss, mouth rot, internal infection, or

abscessation with chronic malnourishment.