Care Sheet for TortoisesAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.33 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 09/30/2005 |
Main Category: | Aquatic/Land |
Sub Category: | Tortoises |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Ajay |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | Ornate Boxturtles |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Ornate Boxturtles. |
Sexing and Characteristics: | To determine the sex of the Ornate Box turtle,you can look at the tail.The rectum of the male boxturtle is beyond the shell,the females is at the edge of the shell,but still inside the shell.Also,look at the bottom of the shell.Some males have an indention on the bottom of the shell.Females do not have this indention.Male Ornate Boxturtles will have orange or red eyes,but females will usually have brown eyes. |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | For the water dish,you can get many different water dishes from pet stores.You can make a simple homemade water dish with a butter tub.For the substrates,I suggest that you use BedABeast.I would not use wood shavings for your boxturtle,as it can iritate the turtles skin.You could also use potting soil for the substrate,but BedABeast seems to work the best.Be sure to have wood or rocks for the boxturtle to dig under. |
Lighting and UVB: | For the lighting,you will need a UVB Lamp.A Flood Light can also be used with the UVB Lamp. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | The temperature in the Aquarium should be about 80-90 degrees.The temperature should never exceed 90 degrees and should never go below 70 degrees. |
Heating and Equipment: | You will need a UVB Lamp.A Flood Light can also be used with the UVB Lamp.Do not use heating rocks,as they can burn your turtles skin.I do not suggest using an underground heating pad,because Ornate Boxturtles love to dig and it could accidentally dig into the heating pad. |
Caging Provided: | I suggest buying a 40 gallon RubberMaid container for the cage.You should never house two males together.You can house two females or one male and one female in the 40 gallon RubberMaid container. |
Diet: | Omnivorous |
Description of Diet: | They are mainly carnivorous while young,switching their diet to mainly vegetables,fruits and plants as they mature.Crickets and other insects are fine.Any fruits except citrus fruits can be fed to it,as citrus fruits can damage its digestive system. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | If your turtle is fed a well balanced diet of insects,fruit,and vegetables,then no vitamins or supplements are necessary.If you cannot provide it with many different foods,then you can dust the crickets that you feed it with calcium/vitamin powder.You can also gut-load the crickets that you feed the turtle. |
Maintenance: | The cage does not require much cleaning,it should be cleaned every two weeks or so depending on how dirty it is.The turtle itself is pretty easy to take care of. |
Some Words on this Species: | The Ornate Boxturtle makes a great beginner pet and is a facinating creature to observe. |
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