Hello
I live in an apartment, and was wondering if there was a land turtle that would be OK to keep as a pet. I have access to a backyard and parks nearby but it's home would be inside.
I would not use an aquarium, I could build some kind of housing.
Would this work?
Any info would be appreciated. 
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Apartment turtle?
wolfwoman
Jun 10, 2003 01:59 PM
Replies (3)
tortus32
Jun 10, 2003 10:29 PM
I would get a small tortoise. I like hermanns tortoises. the western variety really stays small. They are also vegetarians so a varied diet is easier to achieve than what you need to provide for a box turtle.
Just do a search for: testudo hermanni hermanni
They often come up for sale in the classifieds on here as well. Just be sure to buy a captive bred hatchling as you'll save plenty on vet bills that way.
Best of luck,
Bill Tracy
-----
My Turtle Stuff
My Box Turtle Site
wkdrake
Jun 11, 2003 01:32 AM
I have a pair of Eastern Box turtles in my apartment. I built a big habitat for them indoors (7 feet x 3 feet) with soil and wood substrate, small swimming pool, safe plants and hollow log hiding places, and both heat (incandescent) and full-spectrum flourescent lighting. They have access to a fenced deck in the warm weather, and occasional trips outdoors to the park. They also love to cruise around in a bathtub full of warm water a couple times a week. They eat like a pair of vacuum cleaners and are very active. I have had them just over a year. They mated this spring after coming out of hibernation, so I am waiting to see if there will be babies.
Wendy
nathana
Jun 12, 2003 12:27 PM
Your best bet would be a suitable small aquatic or a tortoise. Box turtles keeping indoors is generally a bad idea in the long term, and to even be successful in the short term means becoming a zoo exhibit designer, a plumber, electrical engineer, and indoor gardener all at once. Without the mixxed elements of nature (weather, seasons, day/night cycles) they dont do well for more than a year or two.
If you are planning on moving to a space with dedicated outdoor room within a year, a hatchling box turtle might work. They can be delicate and a bit hard to care for, but their requirements are more simple than an adult and they tolerate their first year indoors very well (this is how I keep mine for one year before they move to outdoor pens.
