Box Turtle

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Box Turtle

Common Name: Ornate Box Turtle
Scientific Name: Terrapene ornata ornata
Lifespan: 40-60+ years
Size: 5-7 inches

Introduction:

The Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata) is one of the only two terrestrial species of turtles native to the United States. This box turtle is found throughout the Midwest and tends to inhabit grasslands and open plains. The “ornate” in their name comes from the beautiful pattern on their shell that is colored with various blacks, yellows, reds, and browns. Ornate box turtles are one of the most popular pet turtles as their care is fairly easy, they have a calm disposition, are a good size with beautiful markings, and are terrestrial instead of aquatic.

Environment
Temperate

Light
UVB

Temperature
75-95 °F

Humidity
40-50%

Most Active
Diurnal

Lifespan
40-60 years

Size:

Ornate box turtles hatch out at approximately the size of a quarter.. Adults range from 5-7 inches, though some can be slightly larger.

Lifespan:

In captivity, with proper care, box turtles can live 40-60 years or more. There have even been cases of them living over 100 years.

Enclosure:

When designing your box turtle’s enclosure make sure to remember that they are commonly found in open grasslands with temperate conditions. Outdoor enclosures are a great option for adults but indoor caging is fine when outside weather and temperatures will not allow a safe enclosure. Hatchling turtles are almost always kept indoors while growing as temperatures, food intake, and odd behavior is easier to monitor.

Box turtles can be kept in a 30 or 40-gallon tank or a 4 x 4 foot outdoor enclosure with walls at least 18 inches high. Ornate box turtles do not climb but love to dig. It is best to use material that they will not chew through and cannot see through. Unlike some species of turtle, box turtles are not aggressive or territorial so multiple turtles can be kept together.

Temperature

Providing a heat gradient with lows in the mid 70s and a basking spot of 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit is very important as reptiles are cold blooded and must be able to regulate their body temperature. Humidity should be kept around 40-50 percent for adults and slightly higher, 60-70 percent for hatchlings.

A great way to help control and maintain humidity and make your box turtle’s enclosure more natural is with mosses. Golden Sphagnum Moss, Green Sphagnum Moss, Sheet Moss, Pillow Moss, and Royal Pillow Moss are all excellent at storing and maintaining humidity and work well with hides to create humidity.

Lighting

In addition to a basking spot, a full-spectrum UVB light is absolutely necessary if the turtle is being kept indoors. UVB lighting is essential in allowing turtles to absorb calcium D3. There are many options for UVB and basking elements, consulting a breeder or knowledge pet store employee and research brands to determine the best options for your setup.

Feeding

Ornate box turtles are omnivorous and feed on a variety of insects and vegetation in the wild. A high-fiber diet with supplemental calcium is recommended in conjunction with fresh insects and greens.There are many brands that create a captive diet specifically crafted to a box turtle, consulting a breeder or knowledge pet store employee would be best for recommendations.

Dubia Roaches, crickets, and mealworms are the main insect diet of a healthy box turtle. Waxworms and superworms can be fed on occasion as they are higher in fat.

All feeder insects should be dusted with calcium and multivitamins, as well as gutloaded. Simply place the feeder insects and a small amount of powder into a plastic bag and shake lightly. Gut loading refers to feeding the insects nutritious food, generally powder or gel, for at least 12 hours before feeding to the bearded dragon.

Dandelion greens and mustard greens are some popular supplemental foods that can be fed a couple times a week in addition to their normal captive diet.

Fruit can be given on rare occasions as they are high in sugars and should not account for more than 5 percent of the turtle’s total diet. Some safe fruits are: strawberries, mangos, bananas, apples, honeydew, watermelon, cantaloupes, and raspberries.

Water

Always provide fresh, clean water for your box turtle. Make sure to check water daily as they will occasionally defecate in their water dish. The size and style of the water dish is up to you but ensure that the turtle can easily enter and exit the dish.

Substrate

Newspaper and paper towels are okay to use if the turtles are being brought indoors for only the night. As a permanent substrate, Cypress Mulch, Orchid/Fir Bark, and Coco Husk are great naturalistic substrate options. Lastly, Coconut is another option that is very good at holding moisture. These substrates work best when mixed together or with sand to provide a soft, yet firm, substrate for digging. Indoor enclosures should have at least 4 inches of diggable substrate while outdoors should have at least 12 inches. No matter what substrate you decide to use make sure to keep an eye on humidity as too much or too little can cause problems.

Hides

Providing a safe hiding place for your box turtle is extremely important to the overall health of your reptile. Ornate box turtles need a secure, dark cave or hide that they can retreat to in order to reduce stress and feel safe. It is best to have at least two hides in the enclosure with one placed on the hot side and one on the cold side. This is so the box turtle can properly control its body temperature and feel safe no matter which side they choose. There are a variety of hides available on the market but when the turtle reaches an adult size many keepers craft their own.

Decor

After the necessities, box turtle enclosures can have any variety of decor that help to add enrichment. Spider Wood, Dragonwood, and Driftwood are popular implements that provide a shelter, shade, and often become the centerpieces of the enclosure. Natural stones, plants and vines are also a great addition for general stimulation and enrichment with the added benefit of a naturalistic look.

Interesting Facts:

  • There are two different species of box turtles. T. o. ornata and T. o. luteola, T. o. ornata being the most common in the pet trade.
  • In the wild, box turtles will eat a variety of beatles, caterpillars, cicadas, and worms. They will also gnaw on bones or even eat dead animals to obtain calcium. The calcium is essential in providing minerals to keep the turtle’s shell in prime condition and aid egg production in females.
  • Males can be distinguished from in several ways: males are often smaller, have a large curved inner claw located on their back feet, a longer and thicker tail, their cloacal opening is further back, and they tend to have a reddish color on their legs and occasionally on their jaw.
  • Box Turtles have extremely hard shells that can often withstand the biting force of alligators! Furthermore, they are able to retract their limbs and head back into their shell in order to protect themselves from predators.
  • Female box turtles will lay hundreds of eggs during their lifetime but only two to three will survive until adulthood in the wild.