Are you looking to bring a pet shelled into your home? The Box Turtle is an affordable, friendly reptile that your family will form a long-lasting bond with.
There are many species of turtles found in North America and Asia.
They are small and easy to handle, and they have a simple diet that is easy to feed. This makes them a great choice for first turtle owners. They are very resilient and have few health problems.
This could be the perfect pet for you. Read on to find out how to take care of them.
What is a Box Turtle?
There are many species and subspecies of the Box Turtle that are found throughout Asia and North America.
Indochinese boxes are found in Vietnam, Laos and China (Hainan Island). This species was declared endangered in 2002 due to deforestation and hunting, as well as being sold on markets.
North America has two species and eight different subspecies
- You will find Terrapenes carolina in the eastern half the United States. It includes the following subspecies of Terrapenes: Three-Toed Turtle, Gulf Coast Turtle, Florida, Eastern Box Turtle.
- The Terrapene ornata subspecies has the Ornate, Desert and both.
This species of turtle is a high-maintenance reptile for hobbyists . These turtles require high temperatures and lighting (which we’ll discuss later). It is possible to care for your turtle more easily if you provide some basic guidance about diet and habitat.
This reptile enjoys swimming in water and being outside during sunny days. They are natural omnivores and eat a variety of invertebrates and fruits. They are known for being extremely hardy and can live up to 50 years.
This species is a great choice for beginners because they are easy to handle. You can have more than one species in your vivarium because they are tolerant of each other.
These pets are very small, measuring only six inches in length. However, they come in many different patterns including black, brown or olive spots and stripes.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Terrapene carolina and Terrapene ornata are available. Cuora galbinifrons is also available. |
| Price | Below $50 |
| Lifespan | 30-50 Years |
| Diet | A wide variety of worms and insects. |
| Tank Size | 20-gallon aquarium |
| Humidity and Temperature | High humidity: 70-80 |
| Popular Alternatives | Red-Eared Slider. Razor-Backed Musk Turtle. Painted Turtle |
How to Care for a Box Turtle
Many are found in warm environments (e.g. Vietnam, Laos and China. They prefer forested areas that have lots of shade but also some light. They are often found in forests near pond edges, where they can be found amongst logs, wet leaves and stumps.
They want a sunny day where they can enjoy the sun and cool off in the shade. Take your pet outside if you want to. Box Turtle In An Indoor Enclosure
Indoor Box Turtle Habitat
They require large amounts of space for such a small animal. They can be kept in a 20-gallon aquarium, although larger sizes (30 or 40 gallons) are more suitable.
They may be able live in the same enclosure because Juveniles are not significantly smaller than their adult sizes (depending on how old they are).
Your turtle will require lots of logs and leaves to hide in their tank. This will allow them to recreate their natural environment. The turtles will need to be able to swim in a shallow body of water. Because Box Turtles cannot swim, the water should not be deeper than their chins. If they can’t make an escape, they will drown.
A wire barrier, rather than a cage-hood, can be added to the tank’s top. This will keep your pet safe and allow you to access the inside.
Heating and Lighting
Although they prefer to live in shade, this species also loves the occasional sunbathing.
Logs and plants can provide shade for your tank while a 75-100W bulb can lighten the rest. The light can also be used as heat, provided that the temperature in the rest of your room is not too high.
The best option is a UV light, as it stimulates Vitamin D production.
The turtle should have a regular routine that includes 12 hours of daylight and 12 hour of darkness. If you don’t want your turtles to hibernate in winter, this is particularly important.
The tank temperature should be between 70-75 at nights and 80-85 in the day . These temperatures can be maintained by keeping the temperature in the tank between 70-80 and 80.
You should also keep the humidity high in your tank. You can use a humidity gauge for measuring the humidity and making sure it remains around 80%. The turtle will be more comfortable if you have a good source of water. If humidity drops too low, the tank can be misted.
Substrate
Many owners prefer to use straw, newspaper, straw or hay as a substrate. They all work well.
Newspaper is a great choice for first-time or novice owners, as it is easy to clean up. Substrates should be cleaned once a week and replaced every other week. Every one to two weeks, you should clean your tank. All substrate, dead leaves and uncooked food should be removed when cleaning your tank.
Wood chips (ideally alfalfa granules) are the best substrate. Wood chips are ideal for turtle burrowing.
You should never ingest soil, sand, or gravel as they can cause intestinal obstruction.
| Tank Tips | |
|---|---|
| Types of tanks | Viviarium for 20-gallon Glass |
| Lighting | 75-100 Watt light bulb, UV bulb |
| Best Substrate | Alfalfa pellets |
How to Feed a Box Turtle
Box Turtles are omnivorous, reptiles . They can eat many things in the wild.
- Apples
- Beetles and other insects
- Blackberries
- Earthworms
- Mushrooms
- Slugs
- Snails
- Strawberries
- Spiders
The diet changes with the seasons and their habitat. The Box Turtle uses their strong jaws to crush prey and then swallow it.
They can eat multiple times per week and are not picky. However, they may prefer certain foods to others when held captive.
You should give your turtle a predominantly carnivorous diet while they are in captivity. A diet of fruits and vegetables should make up only 30%. More vegetables than fruits should be included in this 30%.
Adults should eat three times per week while children should eat every day. A higher percentage of meat should be given to juveniles than adults. You can have some slugs and caterpillars as well as earthworms, earthworms or hornworms.
They should consume small amounts of leafy greens and shredded squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, sweet potato, apples, blackberries, strawberries.
Your pet should be fed a variety of greens. Box Turtles require a variety. You can give your pet a variety of greens if they aren’t interested in a certain food. They may eventually start to enjoy it again (but make sure to take out any unattended food each day).
Before you give your turtle food, all foods must be washed thoroughly and chopped into small pieces. A calcium supplement should be added to any food. Vitamin A can be deficient so it is possible to feed vitamin A-rich foods or take supplements.
They should also have easy access to clean water for both drinking and soaking. Access to clean water must be easy.
How to Keep Yours Healthy
This species can live for 30-50 years.
In captivity, common diseases that this species is prone to in the wild are far less prevalent than in the wild. Turtles in captivity should not suffer from trauma, maggot infestations, or shell fractures due to being run over by cars. If your turtle experiences swelling, it is best to get to the vet immediately. Maggot infestations can only happen if there are open wounds (i.e. poor husbandry).
Captive turtles are more likely to get:
- Internal parasites
- Metabolic bone disease
- Infections of the ear
- Retention of eggs
Basic medication can be used to treat internal parasites.
Many reptiles can be affected by metabolic bone disease. This condition is difficult to diagnose in turtles but can easily be avoided by taking calcium supplements during food.
As first-time owners, you should also be aware of middle ear infections as well as egg retention. If the laying surface is not correct, egg retention can occur. This could lead to egg retention in your turtle. Your vet may recommend oxytocin injections.
Many of these diseases are caused by poor husbandry which can easily be avoided.
| Health Signs | Sickness Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Alert and active | Do not discharge in your eyes or nostrils |
| If startled, quickly retract your limbs | You can drag their shells |
| They should feel like a glass water. | It feels light (as if the shell is empty). |
| Clear eyes, nostrils, mouth, and eyes. Strong, hard shell | Excessive mucus in the mouth |
Lifespan
This reptile is extremely tough and can live very long.
Box Turtles live between 30-50 years. However, some turtles can live up to 100 years.
They are usually very healthy and have few problems due to poor nutrition or improper husbandry. Vitamin A deficiency is the most common condition they have. hypovitaminosis). Anorexia and secondary infections are two signs of this condition. These often result from poor diet.
To prevent hypovitaminosis, ensure you eat vitamin A-rich food like orange vegetables.
Poor diet can also lead to other diseases, like starvation.
Box Turtles shouldn’t be underfed or overfed. Regular weight checks should be done on them. Anorexia, weakness, and dehydration are all signs of starvation. If a turtle is very hungry, you can help them rehydrate by giving them a bath for several hours. However, they might need to be tube-fed at a veterinary hospital.
Handling Advice
Both you and your turtle need to practice good hygiene. Before you handle your turtle, wash your hands.
How to Handle Your Turtle
- Before you decide to handle them, ensure they aren’t sleeping or eating. Also, consider whether they are in mating season.
- You can use both your hands to pick up the turtles from their shells.
- You shouldn’t squeeze your turtle. However, you should ensure that they don’t wiggle from your hands when they are high up in the air.
- Do not grab your turtle’s limbs or quickly turn them.
- Although box turtles are docile, they prefer to be handled with care.
Box Turtles can sometimes urinate when they’re startled by being picked up. This is usually because they didn’t expect to be picked.
They are good at remembering things. They will often run to you if you give them food. You may be able to feed them from your hand.
They are usually very gentle and they won’t bite or snap. However, you shouldn’t touch them while they sleep.
The Normal Behavior
Box Turtles can be quite active in their natural habitats. They are active throughout the day, and they will have periods when they need to be active and periods when they need to rest.
This turtle does not have territorial instincts and is very friendly with all species. This species can live together and is generally very tolerable to other species.
They are very rarely at odds. If they share the same meal or between males during mating season it could lead to fighting. They communicate very little.
- An aggressive turtle might snap at another.
- To protect its head, a submissive turtle will place its head in its shell.
Your box turtle will have both periods of activity as well as rest in an enclosure. You might find them resting in a log, hiding, or basking.
Hibernation Behavior
Box Turtles do hibernate. For new owners, this aspect of caring for them can be more challenging.
They will become slow in October, then hibernate for three to five more months. They love to hibernate in loose soil debris and don’t eat much after that hibernation period.
If you decide to let your turtles hibernate, ensure they are in good health before you move their habitat. If your turtle becomes sluggish in the middle of fall, you can withhold food for up to two weeks so that they can finish their digestion.
You should reduce the temperature of your tank to 60-70 after two weeks. Then, lower it to 45-60. It is not safe to hibernate in temperatures above 60 degrees. However, it is important that the tank temperature does not get too low or it can cause illness.
To hibernate, give your turtle about a meter of potting soil and several inches of shredded paper on top.
The Box Turtle’s appearance
Box Turtles can fully retract all of their appendages into their shells.
Although this turtle species does not exhibit any sexual dimorphisms, most males have red eyes and females have brown eyes. claws in males can be strong and curvy, while those of females are slimmer, slightly curved.
The color of the subspecies or species is dependent on their origin.
Some have a yellow or olive-yellow-colored head. Their shells may be brown, olive-brown, or black. Some may have triangular black markings that are black with a brown triangle or olive triangle behind their eyes. Others may have a large dark spot on the underside. Their spines may be reddish brown or light brown, or they could have three longitudinal stripes.
Size
By the time they turn 15, box turtles should have stopped growing. Adults will only grow to about 5 inches in height and weigh on average 400 grams.
They are very small and slow growing animals. The average age at which females reach sexual maturity is eight years, and males around seven.
| Age (in years) | Size in inches |
|---|---|
| 3 | 2 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 8 | 4 |
Baby Box Turtles
Baby Box Turtle Retracting Limbs
They are about 1 inch long at birth and weigh 7-10 grams.
Sometimes, after hatching, they may try to hibernate while not eating (if it is too late in the season). You can prevent them from hibernating by making sure they have plenty of heat and sunlight. Babies may be reluctant to eat, so it is important to be patient with them if they are not able or willing to eat. They should eat every day.
The mating season occurs right after hibernation, which takes place in April. Egg laying season takes places in June and July. The egg’s incubation time is between 50 and 90 days depending on the temperature of their soil.
After the egg lays, it should be incubated in vermiculite with water at 80 for 20 hours.
Temperature of the soil affects the hatching time.
- Higher temperatures lead to earlier hatching and a greater number of females.
- Low temperatures increase the likelihood of hatchlings becoming male.
What Does a Box Turtle Cost?
This pet is very affordable compared to other reptiles. These pets are easily available at pet shops and can be purchased for between $25-$50 ( but they may be more expensive if you go to a private breeder.
Try to buy captive-bred if possible, as wild-caught animals can be dangerous and can cause trauma or illnesses.
Care Guide Summary
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Docile and tame | Require a wide diet range |
| Adoption is easy and affordable | Poor husbandry can cause many health problems |
| Hardy and live a long life | Hibernation can be challenging to manage |
Box turtles require special care. After a few weeks, this is easy for the first-time owner.
They need to be fed a variety foods at least twice a week, and they require regular tank cleanings. This routine can be managed by any herpetologist, even beginners, although it might take some time to get used to.
This species can be a difficult to adopt. Owners must be ready to care for their turtle for many decades.
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Box turtles are delightful little creatures that make wonderful pets. Great share! Really nice informational post.