Reptile & Amphibian Forums

would it be ideal for the following in a box turtle's habitat;
a heat lamp in the lid targeting a large flat rock for heat instead of a heating pad? or just a heating pad? i don't want anything that could be a hazard for catching fire or anything if i'm gone. thnx

also, what all is necessary inside a box turtle's aquarium?

I'd go with the heat lamp, but don't let the rock get too hot. You probably don't even need a rock, a piece of wood would be better.

Definietly provide a hiding place for your turtle. Mine love those hollowed out log halves that make an arched house for them. For the substrate in your aquarium, use plain top soil that's free of fertilizer and chemicals. Lowes sells them for about a dollar a bag. Dig up a few weeds from your yard and plant them in your aquarium and dump a can of worms in there which you can get from any bait shop.

aquariums are not a suitable habitate for box turtles, unless it's a little hatchling,
(I'm assuming your turtle is atleast 1 year old) if your going to keep it inside it's going to need something larger than an aquarium and all sorts of expensive lights, not just a regular light bulb for a heat source,
it's alot cheaper in the long run just to build an outside enclosure

actually it is a hatchling but thanks for your help.

Ideal habitat for a box turtle is outside, within its natural climate range.
Is there a particular reason that you have for considering housing one indoors?
Creating a suitable habitat indoors would require a considerable amount of time, effort, know-how, space, and cold hard cash, whereas an outdoor setup can be much less, and better for the turtle to boot.
Just a few considerations...

>>would it be ideal for the following in a box turtle's habitat;
>> a heat lamp in the lid targeting a large flat rock for heat instead of a heating pad? or just a heating pad? i don't want anything that could be a hazard for catching fire or anything if i'm gone. thnx
>>
>>also, what all is necessary inside a box turtle's aquarium?

How big is your aquarium? Most aquariums are too small for adult box turtles, unless you have a 55 gallon long tank, and then it's too hard to keep clean and very expensive to equip. Is your box turtle a young box turtle? If so it can remain in a 15 to 20 gallon tank for about 3 years, but should be moved outside after that if possible.

An indoor set-up (and you may want to consider a 55 gallon plastic tote instead of a tank), would need to have a heat or incandescent light source as well as a UVB light source. Undertank heating pads are usually not needed in the summer. If the room gets too cold in the winter you may want to add a heating pad or increase the wattage of the light bulb. Please buy a good digital thermometer and check the temperature at various locations in the tank. You don't want to be guessing the temp of your turtle's setup! The turtle's eating habits are determined by the temp, and too cold or too hot temps can make it stop eating. You should have a cool side of about 75 degrees and a warm side of 82.

The turtle should always have access to a shallow water bowl. The bedding needs to be moisture retaining, perferably something made for reptiles and it should be cleaned or replaced monthly. A hide box is necessary, plus real or plastic plants for cover and security. Cover the side of glass tanks with paper half way up the outside of the tank.

There are pictures of indoor setups on various webpages on the Internet. Please do a search for box turtle housing and I'm sure you'll get many ideas on how to improve your turtle's home.
Good luck.
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Tess
Kingsnake.com Forum Host

a 55 gallon tank. enough sp[ace for an adult box turtle?
I really have to disagree. A standard 55 is 48 inches long and 12 inches wide. That's only 4 square feet. Maybe enough for a hatchling to two incher but NOWHERE NEAR enough space for an adult of the Terrepene. A standard 125 is 72 by 18 and this is about 9.5 square feet and even this is really pretty small for a turtle of more than six inches. (a small ornata or luteola might be okay in it)But no box turtle can have its needs adequately met and not suffer stress in four square feet of living space.I suppose it would be an acceptable temporary home though.

But I also disagree that a tank as small as 55 gallons makes for an unmanageable terrarium. I think things get difficult when you go to less than about 30 gallons or above about 30 square feet.

I agree with everyone who said indoor enclosures are not the best choice for box turtles. I have one that gets eye infections everytime I have brought her in for any period of time. It cost me a whole lot at the vet to take care of it. You MUST buy a uvb light, and maybe not the first year, but it is absolutely necessary for your turtle to get to hibernate at least for a brief period of time. It has been proven that turtles who are kept indoors and not allowed to hibernate have their mental and physical health slowly deteriorate.