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Hi,
I am normally a Gecko guy. After seeing the new issue of Reptiles magazine I became interested in owning a box turtle.
I have two questions
1) Which Box turtle is the smallest
2) Which Box turtle is the easiest to care for
Thanks
PS I have a 90 gallon tank ready will this be big enough?
Box turtles should not be kept on tanks. They have a home range of 2 or 3 acres or more in the wild, so 90 gal. would not be big enough by a long shot.
Aside from the lack of space, tanks are a bad choice because box turtles will try to GET out of any enclosure that they can SEE out of: this translates into a very stressed out animal.
Just cannot recommend a box turtle if that's what you plan on keeping it in. Check the aquatic forum and see about one of the smaller aquatics for your tank.
Stephanie
The smallest and rarest of the native box turtles T.c.bauri may be the most difficult to keep in captivity. However each of the different subspecies has it’s own specific requirements. Some need high humidity, others require arid conditions; while one subspecies is much more carnivorous than it’s genetic cousin. Truly there is no blanket care plan for all the varied subspecies. Although featured in a magazine, box turtles make interesting reading, have that rather charismatic photo appeal, and seem harmless enough to own; yet their needs are extremely demanding as house pets.
I also have raised and bred hundreds of the tangerine morph leopard geckos. They make good in house pets.
A box turtle‘s needs are so much more than one would assume. Geckos like extremely small places; shun light and thrive on a low variation of high protein calcium rich food. Two or three different kinds of food are more than most breeders provide geckos. Box turtles thrive on exploring and exercising in their home range (which can be acres) looking for an infinite variety in their diet, (then there are the finicky eaters) water holes to soak in daily, natural sunlight plus balanced nutrients to grow without deformities, and most importantly a degree of secrecy to be content. The oldest known leopard gecko is twenty plus years. Most die around ten years old. The oldest known box turtle is well over one hundred years with many living past eighty years. Having a box turtle is a lifelong commitment.
Once a box turtle is made captive it can never be returned to the wild....if released they wander aimlessly looking for their home range unafraid of predators and failing to hibernate or estivate until they die.......All the while releasing other pathogens to the native population picked up in captivity. Box Turtles are extremely demanding for even the most diligent Zoo Herpetologists.
The myth that they made good household pets has increased their capture for the pet trade, and furthered their demise. Box turtles in captivity are subject to respiratory illness, fungal infections, bacterial infections from unchanging substrate, overgrown beaks (Which need to be trimmed) shell deformities, parasites, viral infections, caseated ear cysts, prolapsed penis,
egg binding, lethargy....
So I would not recommend them as a good choice for an indoor pet. It’s wise of you to ask before you take on such a demanding commitment.
A basic Box turtle setup would require the largest OUTDOOR ( Assuming your in a warm environment) enclosed space you can get with wire installed underground to prevent digging out, along with a protected top from predators, and a small pond with an extremely good filter.
Shade spots, basking areas, and natural plantings are a necessity. I'd recommend research on all the types of Box turtles and their requirements before acquiring any type of Box turtle. Only you can decide when best informed!
Regards,
Ric
I reccomend that you do not get any turtle. Don't even get a aquatic turtle. Even the smallest turtle do not belong in a 90 gallon fish tank.
If you are going to put a aqautic turtle outside in thw warm months then o.k. Until you get a 150 gallon.
You will enjoy your turtle much more outside. Build a Pen. Half of the fun is landscaping it every year. You can build it big enough to put a bench in. You can sit in it.
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