Sphagnum moss is an excellent addition to your base box turtle substrate.
Eastern box turtle habitat aquarium.
All habitats are terrestrial but these turtles are fond of soaking in shallow puddles streams and the edges of ponds.
Make sure to add a compost area where your turtle can find worms.
The proportions of animal versus plant based food items will depend on both the age and the species of box turtle that you are feeding.
A box or plastic tub filled with substrate plus hiding and feeding spots makes a nice indoor box turtle habitat.
Maintain at least 70 humidity with daily misting.
The vivid orange and yellow markings on its dark brown shell distinguish it from other box turtles as do the four toes on its hind feet.
The eastern box turtle is classified as vulnerable due to habitat fragmentation and destruction as well as illegal collection for the pet trade.
You can use a plastic container a glass aquarium or a turtle table but avoid wire cages since they re not safe for turtles.
It prefers land to water but enjoys very moist conditions.
Specifics for ornate box turtles.
The eastern box turtle prefers a humid environment that mimics a moist forest floor.
In a habitat for common or eastern box turtles use plants like collard greens strawberry plants parsley and clover.
In many areas the winter is too cold to leave box turtles outside and hibernating brumating your turtle is risky.
To create an indoor box turtle habitat start by getting a container that s at least 3 square feet per every 8 inches long your turtle is.
Organic soil sphagnum moss and cypress mulch this is a combination recommended for eastern box turtles from austin s turtle page.
Placing the shallow pool of water in the turtle s habitat also helps with humidity.
Build a box turtle pen inside.
Eastern box turtle habitat in the temperate united states eastern box turtles have a very wide habitat range.
It has a high domed rounded hard upper shell called a carapace.
If you live in an area where the eastern or three toed box turtle is native use any other non toxic native plants.
The eastern box turtle is the state reptile of both tennessee and north carolina.
Even if your box turtle spends most of her time outside you ll most likely need an indoor pen too.
They re highly susceptible to human activity and are often hit by cars and agricultural machinery.
The eastern box turtle is fairly catholic in its habitat choices thriving in woodlands hillsides meadows fields sand dunes and marshy areas.
The eastern box turtle is one of six extant subspecies of the common box turtle.
Generally hatchlings and juvenile box turtles are more carnivorous than adults which are typically more herbivorous.
This is because sphagnum moss does a really good job of holding moisture and heat.
They can be found in forests wetlands meadows prairie edges and freshwater lakes streams and ponds.