The tank can also be misted if humidity levels get too low. If you provide a suitable pool of water for your turtle, this will naturally help to keep the humidity high. Use a humidity gauge to measure and ensure it stays around 80%. The humidity in the tank should be kept high too. Keeping the room between 70℉ and 80℉ will help maintain these temperatures. Tank temperatures should be kept between 70℉-75℉ at night and 80℉-85℉ during the day. This is especially true in the winter if you do not want them to hibernate. Turtles should stay on a normal routine of 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. This light can serve as a heat source too (as long as the temperature of the rest of the room is relatively warm).Ī UV light is the best choice as it will stimulate Vitamin D production. Logs and plants will provide plenty of shady areas in your tank, while a 75-100 watt bulb can illuminate the rest of it. This species loves to have mostly shade, but they also enjoy the occasional bask. This will prevent easy escapes whilst giving you easy access to the inside. Lastly, a wire barrier (rather than a cage hood) can be placed at the top of their tank. They will drown if they cannot make an easy escape. The water should be no deeper than the turtle’s chin because, unlike most turtles, Box Turtles cannot swim. They will also need a shallow pool of water to soak themselves in. This will help to replicate their natural environment. In their tank, your turtle will need lots of leaves and logs to hide in. A 20-gallon glass aquarium works well for them, but bigger sizes of 30 or 40 gallons are better.īecause Juveniles are not substantially smaller than their adult size (depending on their age), they may be able to live in the same size enclosure. If you choose to take your pet outside, make sure to supervise them! Box Turtle In An Indoor Enclosure Indoor Box Turtle Habitatįor such a small animal, they require a large amount of space in your home. Their ideal day is a warm, sunny one, where they will spend it sunning themselves and cooling off in the shade. In forests they are commonly found amongst wet leaves, logs and stumps around the edge of ponds. They like forested areas with lots of shade and some patches of light. Most are found in relatively warm environments (e.g. Quick Facts Scientific Name Terrapene carolina, Terrapene ornata, Cuora galbinifrons Price Less than $50 Lifespan 30-50 years Diet Variety of worms, insects, fruits, and vegetables Tank Size 20-gallon aquarium Humidity & Temperature 70℉-80℉ with a high humidity Popular Alternatives Red-Eared Slider, Razor-Backed Musk Turtle, Painted Turtle How To Care For A Box Turtle They are small pets, reaching just six inches long, however, they can come in a large variety of patterns, including black, brown, olive, or yellow spots and stripes. They also tolerate each species within their vivarium, so you can keep more than one! One of the many reasons beginners choose to adopt this species is because they are usually tame, which makes them easy to handle. Known for being a relatively hardy animal, they can live to 50 years old. They are natural omnivores, eating a wide variety of invertebrates, fruits, and vegetables. This reptile likes soaking themselves in water and spending time outside on a sunny day. However, with some simple guidance on diet and habitat, and a daily husbandry routine, caring for your turtle becomes more normal and easy. They do require some lighting and high temperatures (which we will discuss later on). The Terrapene ornata species has the Ornate and Desert subspecies.įor some hobbyist herpetologists this species of turtle can be high-maintenance when compared with beginner reptiles.Towards the eastern half of the United States, you will find the Terrapenes carolina species which includes the following subspecies: The Three-Toed, Gulf Coast, Florida and Eastern Box Turtle.There are two species and eight subspecies in North America: In 2002, this species was classified as endangered due to deforestation, hunters, and being sold in markets. Indochinese boxes can be found throughout Vietnam, Laos, and China (Hainan Island). The Box Turtle has several species and subspecies that are spread throughout Asia and North America. Care Guide Summary What Is A Box Turtle?.
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