Caring For A Box Turtle

There are many different types of box turtles. Those most commonly available and best suited to keeping as pets are Common Eastern box turtles and Gulf Coast box turtles. They are inquisitive, bold and personable pets when kept in the correct environment. Box turtles can live 50-60 years if they receive proper care.

Box Turtle Caresheet General When choosing a box turtle as a pet, be sure that the turtle you are considering was captive-bred. Many box turtles offered for sale have been captured from the wild and do not adapt well to captivity, particularly in an indoor set-up. If you are unable to keep your turtle for some reason, never release it into the wild, where it will be unlikely to survive. Instead, seek out a rescue organization to help you place your turtle in a new home. Housing Box turtles do best in an outdoor set-up, or a large indoor container with opaque sides to prevent it trying to dig out. A turtle in a small glass tank indoors will become stressed and withdrawn. Indoor box turtles must have a UVB light to keep healthy. You can make an outdoor enclosure from wooden boards, vinyl siding, bricks or cement blocks. Situate your turtle habitat where it is partly shaded, morning sun is ideal. A 5 foot X 5 foot enclosure is adequate for up to four turtles. Make sure your outdoor turtles are well protected from dogs or other predators, like raccoons or hawks. A group of females is likely to work out best. Provide a box for each turtle to hide in, and logs or rocks to make the environment interesting. Most box turtles enjoy a shallow pool, 6-8 inches deep. When planting the pen avoid toxic plants. Humidity should be kept high, indoor turtles should be soaked or misted daily. Diet Protein such as earthworms, slugs, sowbugs, caterpillars, boiled chopped chicken or fish should make up 50% of the daily diet. Feed soaked dog kibble or prepared box turtle food only occasionally. You can gather clean, pesticide free grass for your turtle and offer a variety of vegetables and fruit daily. A calcium supplement with vitamin D3 can be sprinkled over food. To avoid ant problems remove all uneaten food after one hour. Clean, fresh water should always be available, preferably in a shallow water dish, sunk into the ground. Cleaning From time to time turn over the topsoil and add some fresh soil. Move the hiding boxes around so they are on clean ground. Scrub out the water dish every few days and wash the food dish daily. Health Locate an exotics veterinarian experienced in treating turtles. Watch for sign of illness such as, shell irregularities, breathing problems, swollen closed eyes, loss of appetite, or weight loss. It's a good idea to weigh your turtle weekly. Sick turtles and hatchlings need to be kept indoors in a tank, with a temperature range from 85-87° F in the warmest area, to around 75-78° in the coolest area. An undertank heating pad works well. Only healthy, adult turtles should be allowed to hibernate. Warnings Turtles may carry salmonella bacteria, so good hygiene is essential. Fertility Determining the sex of a box turtle depends on observing secondary characteristics, such as coloration. This varies according to the type of turtle and is best done by a reptile veterinarian or other experienced person.

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