Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a baby three-toed several years ago which is now about 3 inches plastron length in size. When he/she was young, my 20-long tank was just fine.

But I am thinking of releasing both of my indoor midland painted turtles (both of which I caught, and are native to this area in Michigan), which would make the 18" by 48" tank available for the boxie. In the current tank, all that I we have room for is a UV light on end and a heat lamp on the other end with a water dish in between (and Spaghnum covering the bottom).

With a bigger tank, I want to get creative. Does anyone else have an large indoor tank that they use to house their boxie? Any creative suggestions? Any photos?

Bill

Ideally you'd want to maximize the amount of 'floor space' available for your box turtle.
My favorite template for an indoor habitat for a box turtle is a 'turtle table'. Do a google search and check it out: I made one for a local nature center recently and can say that they are not difficult to put together.

>> Any photos?

Bill, check out this site-

http://turtletown.giblar.com/habitatjr.html#setup

The interiors are well done. She uses plastic tubs. People often use tubs because they are lighter and therefore easier to clean.
Tess

My boxies are outside, but I don't put them out until they are three or four years old. While they are inside for the winter, I keep them in a planted vivarium. 75 gal tank. I use a mix of soil and peat moss. On top of that I put a bit of forest floor by zoo med. around the water dish I put moss or flat rocks. I use a screen top to filter the light. On one end I make a whole for a heat emitter (100 wt) on the other end is a long tube UVB 10.0 light (fixture for a 20 gal) The heat emitter is on 24/7 and the light goes off at night. I don't use a hide, only leaf litter on one side. I use pothos, creeping jenny, and any small tropical house plant. I just bury the plants in their little pots, and water them twice a week and mist them every AM. I throw in a bunch of worms in the leaf litter and some pill bugs so they always have something to search for.
Every other day I mkae a mix of soaked Mazuri with chopped veggies and fruit and put it on a plant dish for them.
In the summer they are outside, but while they are inside for the winter, I find that a glass vivarium holds the humidity very well and can make a natural environment for them as long as it is large enough.
I also use this same set up for my Cherry Head Tort when he is inside for the winter.

I tried plastic tubs, and they didn't hold the humidity as well as I would like. I like Tom's planted vivariums on TurtleTails.com His are so natural looking.

Thanks for all the suggestions. When my boxie was a baby, you guys said to use Sphagnum. Now that it is bigger, can I still use Sphagnum? Sphagnum's antibacterial qualities keep it odor-free, pretty much.

Bill