Care Sheet for TurtlesAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.33 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 02/14/2004 |
Main Category: | Aquatic/Land |
Sub Category: | Turtles |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Elfomatic |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | Eastern Box Turtle |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Other Box Turtles |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Box turtles are characterized by their hindged shell. They get to be between 4-6 inches long when measuring the plasteron. They have high-domed shells with reddish or orangish blotches in an attractive pattern. Males tend to have domed plasterons (underbellies) and reddish eyes. |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Almost any common substrate is used. Newspaper or any other easily cleanable surface is recommended. They need a water bowl that they can crawl into to soak but make sure it is not deep enough for them to drown.
I use an angled rubbermaid container that has one end cut out for access |
Lighting and UVB: | They need a basking lamp and UVB. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | 75-85 daytime temps are good with a temp drop at night no lower than 65 degrees. |
Heating and Equipment: | No heat rocks or undercage heaters are recommended. |
Caging Provided: | 75 gallon rubbermaid containers are good. Tortoise tables are ideal indoor containers. However, keep them in an outdoor pen if possible. |
Diet: | Omnivorous |
Description of Diet: | In moderation, cat food is a favorite. Try to get chicken or fish. Beef, which is often used in dog food, is too fatty. Box turtles are the "pigs" of the turtle world. They eat virtually everything. They like a variety of fruits and veggies -- which should make up 60% of their diet. Meats should make up only about 40%. Alternate meats include earthworms and crickets.
Veggies and fruits should include summer and winter squashes, peas in the pod, sweet potatoes, okra, grated carrots, green beans, wax beans, grapes, blackberries, raspberries, apples, strawberries, kiwis, cherries, and persimmons.
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Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | Calcuim supplements should be sprinkled over meals. |
Maintenance: | Regularly take them to get dewormed. These guys are relatively active and have very good appetites. |
Some Words on this Species: | In a lot of states these turtles are protected because they are becoming increasingly rare in the wild. Do not collect them from the wild. It is probably illegal in your state. Either get them from a breeder or find another species. |
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