Care Sheet for TortoisesAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.00 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 02/13/2006 |
Main Category: | Aquatic/Land |
Sub Category: | Tortoises |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Ajay |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | Box Turtles |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Three Toed Boxturtles in general. |
Sexing and Characteristics: | You can determine the sex of almost any box turtle with this information below.
Male box-turtles have longer tails than females and the rectum is just beyond the edge of the shell.Female boxturtle tails are shorter than the males tail and the females rectum is just inside the shell.Male Three Toed Boxturtles are more brightly colored than female Three Toed Boxturtles.Males have orange to red markings on their head,neck,and legs.Females are usually have brown to dark brown skin.Male Three Toed Boxturtles have orange or red eyes,while females usually have brown or dark brown eyes. |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | For the water dish,you could buy a large water dish from a pet store.Be sure that the dish is large enough for the tortoise to get inside and soak in,but also be sure that it can get out. Bed-A-Beast for the substrate works best.I do not recommend mulch or pet store wood chips for the substrate.Do not use red mulch,for it contains chemicals that are very harmful to reptiles.Make sure there are plenty of pieces of wood and rocks that the tortoise can dig under. |
Lighting and UVB: | For the lighting,you will need a UVB Light.The UVB Light is necessary for the tortoise to properly absorb and process vitamins.Change the bulb every 6 months or so because after that time,the bulb will lose its UV ray.A Flood Light can also be used with the UVB Lamp to further light up the encloser. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | The temperature for Box Turtle should be 80-88 degrees during the day.Also have a basking area where the temperature is 90-95 degrees.The humidity should be kept at a moderate level. |
Heating and Equipment: | Heating rocks are not necessary.Do not use underground heating pads,as the turtle could burrow into it and electrocute itself. |
Caging Provided: | If you can,keep your Three Toed Boxturtle in a 40 gallon Rubbermaid container.If you cannot,try to get an aquarium with plenty of room for the Three Toed Boxturtles to move around.A 30-40 gallon tank can be substituted instead,but a 40 gallon Rubbermaid is much cheaper and works just as good. |
Diet: | Omnivorous |
Description of Diet: | They can be fed any kind insects.Crickets are a very healthy insect for the tortoise to eat.They love fruit and can be fed apples,blueberrys,strawberrys,peaches,banannas,and other such fruits.Feed banannas to your tortoise only once a week though.Citrus fruits should never be fed to the tortoise,because it can damage its digestive system.They should not be fed dairy products either,as they have the same effect. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | No vitamins are really necessary.if the tortoise receives a large selection of fruits,vegetables,and insects in its diet.If you want though,you can gut-load crickets or dust them with vitamin/calcium powder before you feed them to the Three Toed Boxturtles. |
Maintenance: | Clean the aquarium or RubberMaid container every 2-3 weeks. |
Some Words on this Species: | Three-Toed Boxturtles are a moderately hardy reptile.Ornate Boxturtles are the best for beginner tortoise owners. |
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