So I am lying in bed yesterday almost asleep with my pregnant fiance and four year old when I am asked if I locked the doors. I I respond that I did but the little lady insists that she heard a sound in the kitchen. I grab my gun with a light and snuck into the kitchen and hit the spotlight. I was amused to see a cat run out my dog door. In the morning my fiance says she couldn't find the turtle, a young box turtle. I assured her he was hiding. Later I came out and searched the tank. I was distraught as the little guy finally warmed up to me and started eating out of my hand and flapping wildly at the sight of me. After cursing the cat and shouting what would happen to it again if I saw it in the house I told everyone to be on the lookout as he may still be around and injured. Ten minutes later my fiance found him on the floor behind the trash can in my kitchen. He was scared to death and wouldn't even put his eyes out until he heard my voice. He seems to be in excellent condition but his shell got a cloudy white hue to it. After a day he was back to his old food begging self. Now he gets a top put on his tank at night. Just thought I would share.

If it wasn't your cat, I'd go with a magnetic doggy door. :rolleyes: Raccoons would be next. <_<

Sadie is right!
My dad lives in Fl and he cannot have a doggie door or leave the garage door open. Aliigators, etc.

Can you lock it at night...or replace it with the kind that respond to the dogs collar?

I'm sorry that the box turtle was hurt. The cat took him out of his tank? Box turtles are pretty good at sealing shut and protecting themselves. But, some people on the Yahoo box turtle list have had raccoons chew off their box turtles appendages. So, keeping the box turtle in a secure cage sounds like a good idea, just in case!

Could the white on the shell be from debris and dirt, or do you think it's scraped or injured?

Alligators? I don't think they'll fit. Your best hope is to see a vet. Make sure the white stuff isn't fungus.