Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am getting a box turtle & am having a hard time making 2 decisions. Should I get a hatchling or an adult & should I get an Eastern or a 3 Toed?
I live in Utah (dry climate, but I can mist). The turtle will be kept in a 4'x2' indoor enclosure w/ an undertank heat pad.
I want a turtle that will be pretty as an adult, but also one that's better-suited to living in Utah than some others may be.
I really want to support captive breeding, but can't really find any CBB adults. The only Eastern hatchlings in the classifieds belong to Mike's Herps & he hasn't responded to repeated email inquiries over the last 2 days.
What do you all think? Baby or adult/ Eastern or 3 toed?

I've done my research on care requirements, own & have read the Box Turtle Manual. Now I'm just trying to decide on which subspecies...
Thanks in advance!
-----
Robins Critters
1.1 Corn snakes Jack Skellington & Abby
1.1 Hog Island Boas Harley & Isaboa
0.1 Albino Sonoran Gopher Snake Jasmine
1.3 Leopard Geckos Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
0.1.1 Crested Geckos Peek & Boo
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo
0.1 Pacman Frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
0.0.1 Sulawesi Red Toad Mr. Toad
0.0.1 Tiger Salamander Tiger
1.1.3 Firebelly Newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Olivia Newton John & Thandie Newton
1.1 Cats Gus & Mena

For the purpose of indoor maintenance, it doesn't matter which type you go with. T. ornata, the ornate/western box turtle, would be the practical species to go with for an outdoor setup. However, I am not sure of any laws on that species in Utah. Just be sure to get a captive-bred youngster. Start with an adult, and it will be wildcaught. Try to keep a wildcaught box turtle inside, and it will normally fail to thrive. Similarly, try to keep wildcaught or captive-bred outside in Utah, and the results will likely be negative.

Captive breds don't normally express such issue indoors. Start with a much smaller enclosure and work your way up as the turtle grows. This will facilitate better control over humidity, which is a most crucial necessity for young box turtles. Use a loose soil mix and provide leaf litter and bark under which the animal can burrow to further regulate immediate atmostpheric humidity.

Don't use an under-tank heat pad. Box turtles get their warmth from light and little heat radiated from the ground is usable, compared to snakes and lizards (remember, the plastron is a huge conduction obstructor). For a small animal, a 25W incandescent aquarium bulb should provide a good "basking" temp - you'll have to experiment with suspension height.

You might have to be patient for acquiring your youngster. You just missed the boom period of the year for them, which is Aug/Sept. But, be patient. Many of the northern clutches wait till mid or late Oct to hatch. Be sure the seller waits at least three weeks after hatching to ship the animal, and make certain that it is guaranteed next-day air delivery from a reputable company (as with DHL or UPS). Good on you for going captive-bred. You'll get more reward in the long run.

Thank you for your thoughtful & thorough response.
Any feelings on which will be more pleasing to the eye as an adult? I mostly don't want to get a baby &, 2 years later have an all drab-brown turtle. I'd really like some color on 'em.
Thank you also for reassuring me that the selection available today is not going to be "it" for the year. I was concerned that if I don't buy right away I'll miss the window for the year.
-----
Robins Critters
1.1 Corn snakes Jack Skellington & Abby
1.1 Hog Island Boas Harley & Isaboa
0.1 Albino Sonoran Gopher Snake Jasmine
1.3 Leopard Geckos Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
0.1.1 Crested Geckos Peek & Boo
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo
0.1 Pacman Frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
0.0.1 Sulawesi Red Toad Mr. Toad
0.0.1 Tiger Salamander Tiger
1.1.3 Firebelly Newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Olivia Newton John & Thandie Newton
1.1 Cats Gus & Mena

Thanks everyone. I found an ad this morning on Kingsnake for CBB baby Easterns & bought 2. Thanks for the help.
-----
Robins Critters
1.1 Corn snakes Jack Skellington & Abby
1.1 Hog Island Boas Harley & Isaboa
0.1 Albino Sonoran Gopher Snake Jasmine
1.3 Leopard Geckos Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
0.1.1 Crested Geckos Peek & Boo
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo
0.1 Pacman Frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
0.0.1 Sulawesi Red Toad Mr. Toad
0.0.1 Tiger Salamander Tiger
1.1.3 Firebelly Newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Olivia Newton John & Thandie Newton
1.1 Cats Gus & Mena

3 toeds are so much hardier than most of the other boxies and you can find some stunning looking animals if you are patient.

I've seen some out of the Houston area that looked amazing having blood red skin color.

They would do great in your climate.

>>I am getting a box turtle & am having a hard time making 2 decisions. Should I get a hatchling or an adult & should I get an Eastern or a 3 Toed?
>>I live in Utah (dry climate, but I can mist). The turtle will be kept in a 4'x2' indoor enclosure w/ an undertank heat pad.
>>I want a turtle that will be pretty as an adult, but also one that's better-suited to living in Utah than some others may be.
>>I really want to support captive breeding, but can't really find any CBB adults. The only Eastern hatchlings in the classifieds belong to Mike's Herps & he hasn't responded to repeated email inquiries over the last 2 days.
>>What do you all think? Baby or adult/ Eastern or 3 toed?
>>
>>I've done my research on care requirements, own & have read the Box Turtle Manual. Now I'm just trying to decide on which subspecies...
>>Thanks in advance!
>>-----
>>Robins Critters
>>1.1 Corn snakes Jack Skellington & Abby
>>1.1 Hog Island Boas Harley & Isaboa
>>0.1 Albino Sonoran Gopher Snake Jasmine
>>1.3 Leopard Geckos Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
>>0.1.1 Crested Geckos Peek & Boo
>>1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo
>>0.1 Pacman Frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
>>0.0.1 Sulawesi Red Toad Mr. Toad
>>0.0.1 Tiger Salamander Tiger
>>1.1.3 Firebelly Newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Olivia Newton John & Thandie Newton
>>1.1 Cats Gus & Mena
>>
-----
Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care