(If a box turtle is undergoing medical treatment that requires it to stay clean, the animal may be housed temporarily on several layers of moist newspaper and given a thick, fluffy layer of crumbled, wet, shredded newspaper as substrate. ![]() Unacceptable substrates include roughly milled hardwood mulch containing wood shards all pine, fir, and cedar mulches/shavings corncob litter processed walnut shells orchid bark play sand alfalfa pellets recycled paper pellets/litter. Rehydrated processed coconut shell (e.g., “Coconut Bark” by T-Rex, Chila Vista, CA) may also be used as a substrate amendment. Add hardwood leaf litter and/or rehydrated sphagnum moss to increase moisture-holding capacity and to keep the substrate from packing. Inexpensive substrates that work well include very finely shredded hardwood mulch or high quality loam compost. The substrate should be loose for easy digging, nonabrasive, have a low dust content and be free of chemical additives. In captivity, they may become highly stressed if deprived of the opportunity to burrow or hide and may suffer serious medical problems if the substrate is too dry. In the wild, box turtles spend a considerable amount of time partially or totally buried in the substrate to thermo- and hydro-regulate and to hide from potential predators. ![]() Do not use a solid lid with small ventilation panels it is unlikely to provide adequate ventilation. If there are pets or small children that could gain access to the enclosure, cover it with a screened lid. Also, avoid clear plastic or glass turtles often pace along walls they can see through. Do not use screening on the walls, since turtles may abrade themselves on it. If raw lumber is used, it must be lined with a plastic sheet to keep the wood from rotting and maintain sanitary conditions. Such material weathers well and can be easily cleaned. ![]() Ideally, use smooth plastic or finished lumber (i.e., coated with exterior-grade varnish, polyurethane or an epoxy sealant) to make an enclosure. For added security, add a 2-inch overhanging ledge around the inside perimeter of the pen. (Box turtles are remarkably good climbers!) An 8- to 9-inch clearance above the substrate is adequate if the walls are smooth and there are no plants or other objects (including cage mates) on which a turtle can stand or use as a ladder. The walls of a turtle pen should be high enough so the animal cannot reach up, grab the top and hoist itself up over the rim. Moreover, the high walls on most aquariums make it difficult to establish good ventilation and a proper thermal gradient. Cement mixing tubs and aquariums are too small for housing adult box turtles on a permanent basis. ![]() A large bookcase, children’s sandbox, or preformed children’s pool work well if you don’t want to build a pen. One to two female or one male North American box turtle can be successfully maintained in an enclosure with at least 12 square feet of floor space. Housing Requirements Enclosure: Dimensions & Material Unfortunately, most health problems encountered are a result of poor husbandry and nutrition. Regardless of the species, proper care is essential to the long-term survival of these hearty reptiles. However, several subspecies exist and identification can be difficult. The ornate box turtle, the eastern box turtle, and the three-toed box turtle are commonly sold in the pet trade. Box turtles are among the most popular reptiles kept as pets in the United States.
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