Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just have a few questions about our box turtle. I am totally new at this but by reading a little have learned so much about these creatures. First of all how often do I need to change out the substrate in his cage. We have him indoors because we don't have a secured yard to keep him in yet it is not fenced. Second how often do they use the bathroom? I know they tend to in their water but I just don't see it a whole lot. Anyway I'm sure I will have more questions arise but this turtle was a gift, which I am grateful but I want to know the proper care and housing to keep him happy!!! Thanks a lot

Can you tell us a little more about your turtle and its cage? Is it a hatchling? A hatchling may not dirty the substrate at the same rate a larger turtle would.
What are you using for substrate, and how deep is it?
I only keep hatchlings indoors, don't have a regular schedule for changing out the peatmoss I use as substrate, and would guess that they poop every couple of days or so (I don't watch them constantly), and they eat every day.
Perhaps some of the indoor turtle folks will give you more info.
Regards
Stephanie

Our turtle is not a hatchling - he's what I would call medium size. I do watch him a lot to see what kind of habits he has etc., and actually last night I did notice two jobs in his cage. We have a large rubbermaid tub with a lid but we have cut out the whole middle section of the lid and put something similar to chicken wire over the hole. It sounds tacky but we screwed it in nicely and it works. I am however open to ideas on different housing ideas. Until we get a fence up and yard in better shape I don't want him outside. We are using the bed a beast substrate (cocunut shell stuff) and it's probably about 7 inches thick or so. I thought of using someting a little more convenient though and ideas on that??? Thanks so much for the help.

I used Bed A Beast too, it works great! Mostly, I would rehydrate it about once a week or so, and as I was stirring it I would find the poops and just remove them and removed whatever left over food there was right away.

I changed her soaking water at least once a day, often more.
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 teddybear hamster
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children