Box Turtle Cage

[CanadianTestudo]

Hello Folks,
I already posted a picture of my box turtle enclosure in the introduction thread area, but who knows how many people venture there so I figured I would post a picture of her setup here as well with the hope to receive criticism so I can improve the enclosure.

This is almost what the enclosure currently looks like (have added a spider plant in the back right corner).
Here is a picture of her in the same cage with a different setup

I feed her every two days alternating insects and spring mix mashed together with grated carrots, bell peppers, zoomed forest tortoise food. She absolutely loves her insects, but also eats her veggies (even though with much less excitement).

I was also thinking of instead of mixing the veggies with the forest food, mixing them with the natural grassland food? I just don't want her to get too much animal protein.

So let me know what you think.

 

[tortadise]

Any chance of getting her outside? Box turtles prefer outdoors for sure. But if you don't have a spot that's ok. Don't worry about too much animal protein. Box turtles are almost completely carnivorous when young. It's good she eats greens too. They transition more omnivorous as they age older. Still eating snails, worms, and carrion.

The only thing I'd recommend is to most definitely start thinking out upgrading to much larger enclosure. Box turtles hold a natural range that can be quite large(up to 5 or more square miles) males more so tha. Females. But even females will venture a lot. So walking and roaming Is a part of their needed lifestyle.

 

[CanadianTestudo]

yes next thing for her is definitely size upgrade. Might take another year though, my Russian is first

 

[CanadianTestudo]

oh, and sadly no way to get her outside. Moving to a place in september without a yard

 

[leigti]

oh, and sadly no way to get her outside. Moving to a place in september without a yard

That is not going to be very good for a Russian and a box turtle. I hope you plan on some very large indoor enclosures.

 

[CanadianTestudo]

Yes I do, Russian first then box

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Is there any way he could have more 'coverage'? Box turtles love plants.

 

[CanadianTestudo]

What would you suggest that I could use?

 

[Dean Wirth]

I would suggest building a wooden enclosure, make windows if you like, and a wire mesh cover with a latch. Don't feel it has to be an aquarium or terrarium. I use potted plants as they tend to uproot planted plants, also I use plant saucers for pools, they are not deep are easy to remove to clean, as box turtles poop in their pools a lot. I like the idea that it can climb on the roof of it's hide I have that too only I built my hide from paving stones set in a breeding tank 6 x 2.5 feet in diameter. I know it's a lot on the menu but just things to think about as it grows. coffee tables and bookshelves are good starters for building terrariums if you are not set up for major woodworking projects. for now it looks pretty good and it Is an attractive turtle. good luck.

 

[CanadianTestudo]

Her pool is not a problem, and it allows me to make the water deeper which she seems to like, clean it almost every day. Thanks for all the advice

 

[Nanchantress]

Turtles feel safest with plant cover, as if they are hiding under a bush. If they look up and see open "sky" it can cause stress because they feel vulnerable. I am currently housing one of my box turtles inside in a tote while it rehabs, and I rest a wire rack (from a dismantled hamster cage, but you could use a cooling rack from the kitchen) on the top of the tote with fake plastic plants hanging from it. It is very easy lift it off to clean the water dish, etc. The plants I got from Walmart and I just bend the stems and hang them on.

 

[CanadianTestudo]

Oh I like that idea, it looks very neat. Definitely something to consider when I upgrade her tank!!