Photo courtesy of James E. Gerholdt

 Photo courtesy of James E. Gerholdt
   
The Care of Eastern and Three Toed Box Turtles

Terrapene carolina carolina & Terrapene carolina triunguis

Size & Growth: The average adult size of Eastern box turtles are 4 1/2 to 6 inches, and three toed box turtles are 4 1/2 to 5 inches. Hatchling box turtles, which are 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 inches when born, take approximately four to six years to reach adult size. How fast baby box turtles grow depends on the conditions in which the animals are raised like: diet, temperature and hibernation.

Distribution: Eastern box turtles are found in the forests of the northeastern United States. Three toed box turtles are found in woody grassland areas in the central and southern United States.

Captive Environment: Box turtles can be kept in either indoor or outdoor enclosures. For those who live in colder parts of the world both, indoor and outdoor enclosures are used. T.c.carolina and T.c. triunguis have very similar habitat requirements. Both animals are found in woody grassland areas where the top soil is dry yet underneath it is moist and humid. These habitats usually have a body water in which the turtles can retreat to for drinking. The turtles don't really swim but, they love to soak in order to rehydrate themselves, as well as to leave waste. These terrestrial turtles spend half of their year hibernating or just simply hiding under logs or burrows. These box turtles seem to be most active during and just after a rain storm.

Creating an environment, in captivity, to replicate the turtles natural habitat is very important for the well being of the turtle. Providing 3 inches of loose moist (not wet) soil mixed with peat moss and/or finely ground orchid bark. Mixing the substrate with sand may ware down the shell of the turtle and even create bacterial infections by leaving abrasions in the skin. The turtle will need a place to retreat to like a half log or a bundle of straw. These retreat places are considered micro-environments; which are sub-environments for the animal to help it maintain proper hydration through higher relative humidity, such as in burrows. A shallow pan of clean water should be available at all times for the turtle to soak in. It's a good idea to mist the turtle's environment down every morning for proper humidity levels.

Diet: The diet of these box turtles should consist of 65% plant matter, 25% fruits and 10% insect protein.

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