How to Care For a Pet Box Turtle
Box turtles are small terrestrial animals.
There are four main species that are kept as pets: Eastern Turtle, Three-Toed Turtle, Gulf Coast Turtle, and Ornate Turtle.
Each of these turtles can grow to be anywhere from three to seven inches, and will weigh anywhere from five to ten pounds.
They are a long term commitment as they have a life span that can exceed 50 years, if they are well cared for.
There are four main species of box turtles, and they each have their own particular diet.
Eastern: Half their diet should be vegetables, fruits, and grasses, and the remainder should be low fat protein, such as worms, snails, and grasshoppers.
Three-Toed: Half their diet should be vegetables, fruits, and grasses, and the remainder should be low fat protein, such as worms, snails, and grasshoppers.
Gulf Coast: About 40% their diet should be vegetables, fruits, and grasses, and the remainder should be low fat protein, such as worms, snails, and grasshoppers.
Ornate: These are carnivorous when they are young.
Calcium dusted crickets and worms should be fed.
Grasses and vegetables can also be given, but in minority.
These types of turtles are land animals, and as a result, they should be in a terrarium or outdoors.
Most experts say that box turtles should be outdoors in a pen as much as possible, temperatures permitting.
If they are kept indoors, they will need a temperature regulated terrarium, that has a reptile light that can shine both UVA and UVB rays.
Box turtles make great pets and are fairly easy to care for.
There are four main species that are kept as pets: Eastern Turtle, Three-Toed Turtle, Gulf Coast Turtle, and Ornate Turtle.
Each of these turtles can grow to be anywhere from three to seven inches, and will weigh anywhere from five to ten pounds.
They are a long term commitment as they have a life span that can exceed 50 years, if they are well cared for.
There are four main species of box turtles, and they each have their own particular diet.
Eastern: Half their diet should be vegetables, fruits, and grasses, and the remainder should be low fat protein, such as worms, snails, and grasshoppers.
Three-Toed: Half their diet should be vegetables, fruits, and grasses, and the remainder should be low fat protein, such as worms, snails, and grasshoppers.
Gulf Coast: About 40% their diet should be vegetables, fruits, and grasses, and the remainder should be low fat protein, such as worms, snails, and grasshoppers.
Ornate: These are carnivorous when they are young.
Calcium dusted crickets and worms should be fed.
Grasses and vegetables can also be given, but in minority.
These types of turtles are land animals, and as a result, they should be in a terrarium or outdoors.
Most experts say that box turtles should be outdoors in a pen as much as possible, temperatures permitting.
If they are kept indoors, they will need a temperature regulated terrarium, that has a reptile light that can shine both UVA and UVB rays.
Box turtles make great pets and are fairly easy to care for.
