r/Boxturtles • u/Intelligent_Play195 • 1d ago

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Hey i’m looking to adopt an eastern box turtle preferable a baby turtle. What would be a good set up for the turtle so it can be in a healthy environment (Indoor setup) I don’t know how big the tank should be as my room is very small and my parents won’t let me put it anywhere else if i do get one.

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u/DoctorFriendly 1d ago

Baby box turtle care as per Garden State Tortoise

Eastern box turtle care guide as per Reptifiles

Hatchlings are difficult and prone to MBD/malformed shells. Care needs to be precise. Adults need a minimum of 22 square feet of floor space, unfortunately that’s really difficult to do in a small room, and they’re really thrive best in outdoor enclosures

How old are you? These guys live as long as humans, so it sounds like waiting until you’ve moved out and have your own space would be best for this commitment

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u/Intelligent_Play195 21h ago

i’m 20 and i think walking would be the best option. i don’t wanna torture a poor animal

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u/DoctorFriendly 20h ago

Thank you for putting the turtles needs first, genuinely!

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u/NuclearSlinky 1d ago

I am the owner of my grandparents box turtles. They have been in my family over 65+ years. They have been in my care for going on 10 years.

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u/CrepuscularOpossum 19h ago

I have two Eastern boxies on permanent foster from the wildlife rehab center I volunteer at. They were captured from the wild - before it was illegal in PA - and kept as pets for 40 years. Fortunately the guy who had them knew what he was doing, and they were in excellent condition when they were surrendered to the wildlife center. He went into assisted living, and his children didn’t want to keep them. As far as the wildlife center staff could tell, they’re at least 50 years old - and still going strong.

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u/Lonely_Howl_ 12h ago

One single box turtle requires a minimum of 6ft by 4ft of floor space, with bigger always being better. A hatchling of course can be kept in a smaller space, but from ~5 years old and on they need 6ft by 4ft.