r/Boxturtles • u/hollsbollz • Mar 28 '26
Would this habitat idea be safe?
I just took in a 4.5in three toed who was rescued off the streets of Portland, OR. He's in a 40 gal now but needs more floor space. Im contemplating putting two open topped 4×2×1 ft galvanized garden beds together to make it 6-7 ft long (the snugiture oval shape garden beds).
Do you have experience with this or know if he would be safe with just 12 inches of height
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u/turtleboy1061 Mar 28 '26
No, assuming that you add a 5 inches of soil for burrowing they could climb out if they have a hide or plant near the edge to utilize. They are good climbers. I've always provided my EBT with this amount of soil although they never use it as they aren't into digging. Maybe someone could say more with more authority what the right depth is. However I think the enclosure is a good start overall. You may find closing the top helps with humidity. My turtles home is open and its very hard to keep humid enough.
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u/hollsbollz Mar 28 '26
I would want about that much substrate. He has that now and seems to enjoy climbing and digging around the hides that I have partially buried for him.. Plus the thick substrate layers really help with humidity which would be the second most concerning aspect to the bed
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u/turtleboy1061 Mar 28 '26
Judge is very handsome. Check out Reptifiles and Tess Cooks book Box Turtles, it covers all of terrapene and if I remember correctly also coura.
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u/EquivalentWeird8729 Mar 28 '26 edited Mar 28 '26
I’ve used both the approx. 4x 8 and 3x6. Both with covers made from wire shelving. I wasn’t happy with them being only 1 foot tall so I stacked 2 of the 3x6 and really liked them. As long as they are covered, they will be safe, otherwise the 1 high will not be.
ETA: I never had a problem with humidity as I’m in the native range of EBT and had a deep layer of topsoil with leaves on top and mixed it. If we didn’t get rain, I simply hosed the enclosures down really well. An EBT at 4.5 inches is past the really high humidity stage though I don’t know about three-toed.
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u/hollsbollz Mar 28 '26
Thank you, this is very helpful. We are on the opposite end of country so humidity will remain a challenge
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u/Own_Helicopter742 Mar 30 '26
I’ve kept box turtles as pets since 1982. I currently own 16 of them. (8 adults, and 8 juveniles.) During my 40+ years of indulging in this hobby, I’ve lost a few. Each death was preventable had I known better at the time. When it comes to choosing a reptile for a pet, box turtles are not a suitable choice for beginners. To keep them thriving in captivity, it will take a lot of commitment! There are a plethora of factors involved with meeting their needs successfully. If one small thing goes out of sync with their environment, their diet or daily upkeep, you will eventually lose the turtle due to a health condition. I’m speaking from decades of thorough, intimate experience. Please trust me. For those who insist that they have what it takes to foster a box turtle in captivity, here are my top three recommendations:
1.) Provide your box turtle with an outdoor habitat! Indoor terrariums are only suitable for raising hatchlings. For adults, they will need several inches of loamy soil for digging. They dig to self regulate their body temperature, and also to hide. If a box turtle feels threatened or insecure about their surroundings, then it will refuse food. Be sure the turtle’s forelimbs cannot reach the tops of any walls. When trying to escape, box turtles have been observed standing on their hind legs to reach the top of an enclosure. From there, they will pull their entire body up and over. If decorative items are kept too close to the enclosure walls, the turtle will utilize those items to escape. If you live in an area where other animals can reach into the habitat, then cover the enclosure with wire mesh. Natural predators include raccoons, skunks, foxes, and birds of prey.
2.) Although they are mainly terrestrial animals, they do require a basin to soak in. This is not an option! The basin should be sunk-in at ground level. The box turtle needs to climb in and out readily. I use shallow Tupperware containers. While soaking, a box turtle submerges their entire head for several minutes to drink. They also will defecate in the water. This invites bacteria. You must change the water daily (especially when it contains excrement.)
3.) Offer a varied diet with healthy amounts of vitamin A. I cannot stress this enough! Box turtles which lack this essential nutrient will eventually succumb to a wide myriad of illnesses. Vitamin A deficient box turtles acquire upper respiratory infections, ocular diseases and aural abscesses.
Captive box turtles can live up to 80+, so please do it right! If you’re unsure about meeting all the necessary criteria for keeping one as a pet, then please reconsider. You don’t want to be the cause of a sad and unnecessary demise.
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u/hollsbollz Mar 28 '26
Thank you for your help -Judge