How to Care for a Box Turtle

Box turtles are land turtles, unlike the common red-eared slider. Box turtles have special requirements for proper care and maintenance. Captive turtles can live as long as 100 years if properly cared for. Make a good home for your box turtle and you could have a pet for life.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Create a safe outdoor habitat. Box turtles are best kept outside for as much of the year as possible. In general, box turtles require shade, water, loose material to dig through and protection from predators.

2. Feed your box turtle with a variety of foods. Box turtles are omnivores and eat fruits, vegetables and meats. You can catch insects or use fresh fish to to provide necessary protein. You can supplement the fresh foods with turtle pellets.

3. Enclose the box turtle with a high fence. Despite their shell and slow moving nature, box turtles can climb. Reinforce the top of the enclosure to prevent night time predators from making a box lunch of your pet.

4. Increase the box turtles fat reserve and be sure it's top condition prior to hibernation, If the turtle is sickly, bring it inside and care for it over the winter. Otherwise, allow the turtle to dig down and hibernate.

5. Handle the box turtle with care, but take it for occasional leisurely walks. Place the turtle in the sun for some good basking time, but be sure to set the turtle where there is adequate shade available when he's done basking.