Reptile & Amphibian Forums

that we need to keep them outside? Most other herps can be kept inside with a UVB light. Just wondering.
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2 Taricha granulosa
1 male Terrapane carolina carolina
10 gal. tropical fish tank.

I don't think we NEED to keep boxies outside, lots of people have sucessfully kept BT's indoors, but to me boxies dramatically respond to changing weather and seasonal changes. Some reptiles respond negatively to fronts, and would prefer shelter, so indoor habitat is just great to them, but boxies seem to really respond positively to passing fronts and are most active. They also are active in the morning hours and soak up that morning sunshine before it gets to hot. Can you duplicate the light cycles and UV requirements indoors?...maybe?...for the most part?
Also they can eat a variety of bugs outdoors thru the changing seasons, and will cycle hormonally and hibernate better.
Do they need to be outdoors?.. NO.
Is it arguably a better lifestyle, health, longevity, natual, comfort, quality of life, ect?....I and many others think so.
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Jeff Benfer

1.0 pastel Python regius
1.1 mojave Python regius
0.1 normal Python regius
1.3 Terrapene carolina thriunguis
2.3 Terrapene carolina carolina
4.1 Kinosternon baurii
1.1 Malaclemys terrapin terrapin
2.2 double het albino and anerythristicThamnophis sirtalis parietalis
1.0 anerythristic Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
2.2 Iowa snow Thamnophis radix
0.2 het Christmas albino Thamnophis radix
1.1 double het cherry erythristic, albino Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
1.1 melanistic Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
1.1 triple heterozygous for amelanistic,carmel, and stripe Pantherophis guttatus
0.1 anerythristic motley Pantherophis guttatus
0.1 Okeetee Pantherophis guttatus

In addition to Jeff's excellent comments, when people keep their turtles outside, they generally keep them in pens which are typically bigger than indoor enclosures. Box turtles need space.

Tim

Third Eye

I have given this a lot of thought as well and I think it is partly because box turtle have an instinct for maintaining a home range-often very large ones. I think snakes and lizards have much smaller ranges and therefore may be happy kept indoors.
People who keep their turtles outside usually have them in something bigger than an large fish tank

Box turtles also like rainy days and really perk up when they can get wet. I think it means the possibilty of food for them and that makes them happy. I have kept box turtles both ways and honestly, they are more active, eat better and seem happier outside.
Tess