Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all! I'm currently new to these forums i normally am on repticzone forums but i thought its just nice to get all around information.

I've been thinking of getting a box turtle for quite some time and i guess i should start off from there. I currently know little about box turtles but i am very interested in getting to know how to raise them, currently the information i know is they love to bask, they have special diets, its better to keep them outdoors, and the level of difficulty for raising them is pretty high. I'm fully capable of affording to raise one, but what i want to know is what do i need to know before getting one? I probably will get a hatch ling and I've decided on either Eastern box turtles or 3 toed box turtles.

Even with the knowledge i have of them now I'd like if someone could give me tips, information, or forewarnings of these beautiful animals before i get one, I'd greatly appreciate any help what-so-ever.

Here's a good place to start:
Link

That's a great list of links. If you get a 3-toe I can give you a list of the mistakes I made with mine over 11 years (I'm lucky she's hardy!):

Not enough space (the old twice-the-length by thrice-the-length housing rule means a 5 inch 3-toe could theoretically be kept in a 10" x 20" 10 gallon aquarium with more than enough room; actually this is very cramped and terrible housing);

Not enough humidity (the plastic wrap for corn cob bedding often has a big picture of a box turtle--this is a terrible substrate for a 3-toe and they need a wood chip that retains humidity.) A water dish big enough to soak in and a cover that allows air but also prevents too much evaporation are important too;

Not enough heat (heat is probably what kept my girl alive when I was making these other mistakes; if a 3-toe can get in and out of 80-90 degree Fahrenheit heat she will be happy most of the time);

Not enough meat (3-toes are more carnivorous than not; they will eat apples and melon and spinach, etc, but will always need plenty of crickets and crawlers as the mainstays of their diet. A few highly acidic mealworms on top of spinach is not enough. This is part of the BT challenge; you will need to shop or keep prey items like crickets and crawlers for them regularly);

Not enough privacy (a hide box where the turtle is completely covered and able to come and go is essential).

Good luck!

That's a good link.

If you are not experienced with Box turtles, I would strongly recommend starting with a captive bred animal around 3-4". It will save you some aggravation. Also, an animal of that size could be housed outdoors easily.

Just a very few tips if you end up with a hatchling.
-Don't skip feedings. During their first year, hatchling box turtles need to be fed nearly every day. Many herps can go without feed for a week or so. Doing this with a hatchling box turtle is sure to get you into trouble.
-Vary the diet. Even if veggies aren't eaten, offer them. Vary the types of insects, meat products, and prepared diets as often as possible.
-Keep the calcium to phosphorus ratio about 2:1, both through food choices and supplementation.
-Keep them warm and moist. Dehydration in a young box turtle can quickly lead to kidney and other organ damage!
-Keep the substrate clean. Three-toes are especially succeptible to shell infections.
-Provide UVA/UVB lighting. Even if a hatchling hides 90% of the day, it will get those beneficial rays when it needs them.
-Avoid handling except at feeding/soaking times until the turtle is about 3".

I could keep going, but this post is too long as it is.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Hatchling Gulf Coast, Eastern, and Florida.