How to Care for a Box Turtle

Box turtles can be fun to watch. You can keep a box turtle as a pet fairly easily, but like any pet, you must learn special instructions for their care so that you can keep your box turtle happy and healthy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Choose Housing for Your Box Turtle

1. Purchase a pen for your house turtle. You can choose an indoor aquarium or an outdoor pen if you live with a box turtle's natural habitat.
2. Provide protection for your box turtle from outdoor animals like raccoons and from indoor animals like dogs.
3. Add soil, logs or other pieces to the environment. Box turtles like to burrow and hide to feel secure.
4. Moisten the housing every day. A humidifier may be necessary, because dry air can cause irritation and ultimately kill your box turtle.
5. Provide water for a pool for your box turtle, changing it daily.
6. Make sure your housing is located in direct sunlight or has a UV-B light in it.

Provide Food for Your Box Turtle

7. Read about the specific foods your species of box turtle will enjoy.
8. Feed your box turtle daily.
9. Provide fresh water for drinking daily.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the box turtle you purchase is healthy.
• If your box turtle is not eating or is not active, call your vet. Common problems include not having enough sunlight or being scared.