Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am thinking about building an outdoor cage for my box turtle, but we have a problem with racoons, outdoor cats, hawks( don't know if there a threat), possums...Is it better to just keep him inside or should I still build an outdoor cage? Thanks

Where do you live and what kind of box turtle do you have, and how big is it?
My personal feeling is that box turtles do best when kept outdoors, presuming that the local climate closely approximates the conditions where they would be found living in the wild. In other words, if you had an eastern box turtle, and you lived in Pennsylvania where they are a native species, your turtle would thrive outdoors.
Hatchling and juvenile turtles do require more protection from predators than an adult does.
I live in central VA, and keep mine outside year round in an enclosure that has a fence around the perimeter. My cat hangs out in there, but finds the turtles to be pretty boring (they don't move quickly enough), and I have seen raccoons passing through, but they seem to be happy with food that is easier for them to get at, so they haven't bothered the turtles either.
If your turtle is a hatchling, or is less than 4 inches long or so, build something with a cover on it.

I live in Ohio, he is about 4in. Would I be able to bring him in at night and put him out in the early morning. The racoons in my neighborhood are pretty determined and stubborn. One of the houses across the street from us has had to have animal control come out and remove them from his house at least 10 times in the 5 years I've lived here. Plus there is woods right by my neighborhood so we get a bunch of other wild animals. Thanks for the help.

Megan I would def think about building a cage outside. Your box will love it and I notice there coloring and personality come out more. I would enclose the whole thing. You can always make some sort of lid that you can remove during the day and put on at night. You can make one out of wood or pvc, and use some sturdy chicken wire or netting of some sort.

if you're thinking about an outdoor enclosure, you should definitely go for it. box turtle especially benefit from living outdoors. just make it fully enclosed with a sturdy, locking lid. and if you have the time (and ability to remember) bringing them in at night would certainly provide them added safety. raccoons and most other wildlife that would go after turtles are active at night. i'm from ohio too, so i know what a pain raccoons and opossums can be. good luck and please post pics of the finished product if you can.
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0.0.2 T.c.carolina

I would suggest a galvanized wire mesh about 1/4 in. square.
very much larger would allow in snakes of appreciable size, or pose a danger to the turtle getting it's head stuck. any smaller and most of the UVB from the sun will be attenuated
(weakened). so chicken wire or fine metal screen is not the best choice.
removing them to the indoors at night is a good idea if temp & humidity changes are not too drastic. my reptiles go out for natural sunshine in the day and sometimes come in at night. but I can tell you having an outside dog friendly with your turtles will cut down drastically on intruding predators. I have to deal with racoons, oppossum, foxes, snakes, owls, red tailed hawks, and coyotes. making sure the enclosure is secure from the strength of a possible canine predator and the resourcefulness of a racoon is a good idea. AND removing any food items after hours that may attract them.

I have three adult box turtles outside, without a screen top to their pen, and have never had a problem with the 15 feral cats (no joke) raccoons, rats, or oppossums around. Not to say that it couldn't happen, because it does, just I've never had a problem. Cats are nothing to worry about, they do find them boring. If your turtles aren't adults, have them enclosed completely, with wire under the ground so predators can't dig underneath. Adults should be fine, in my opinion. Just give them plently of hiding spots.