i was thinkin about getting a box turtle probaly a ornate i was going to get these large enclosurs that are made for ferrets but that would just be when it is cold outside for outside i will be building a pen outside so when its hot he can go outside and roam and get some fresh air. all i need to know is about the indoor tank what should i use as a substrate i see this stuff that looks like little pieces of wood that are for tortoises so is this ok
box turtles
- Thread starter frogman5
- Start date
Keeping any native turtle outside for as much as possible can greatly increase it's health. But this only works if you can provide what it needs to stay happy. 
Box turtles really don't like to be kept inside much less aquariums. I had a pair of Gulf Coast Box Turtles that I brought indoors for the winter. I kept them in a custom wood pen with a floor space of 4'x6'. Luckly it was only for the winter. I used newspaper for bedding. I also had a flipped over tub to hide in with moss inside because turtles can dry out indoors.
Box Turtles like a lot of humidity and they got sprayed twice a day and had a large pan of water to sit in. They will probably go to the bathroom in the water so change it as soon as it's dirty. The same with the paper. My turtles were provided with a basking light temperature between 85-90F degrees. Ornates probably need more. This is all from my experience! I had them for about 6 years but got rid of them.
Anyways, do your research before you make a purchase! Turtles can be a lot of work, lol!
Box turtles really don't like to be kept inside much less aquariums. I had a pair of Gulf Coast Box Turtles that I brought indoors for the winter. I kept them in a custom wood pen with a floor space of 4'x6'. Luckly it was only for the winter. I used newspaper for bedding. I also had a flipped over tub to hide in with moss inside because turtles can dry out indoors.
Box Turtles like a lot of humidity and they got sprayed twice a day and had a large pan of water to sit in. They will probably go to the bathroom in the water so change it as soon as it's dirty. The same with the paper. My turtles were provided with a basking light temperature between 85-90F degrees. Ornates probably need more. This is all from my experience! I had them for about 6 years but got rid of them.
Anyways, do your research before you make a purchase! Turtles can be a lot of work, lol!
yeh ive done quite a bit of research and the only time they will stay inside is in the winter also the enclosure is a little smaller but will only be for when i am gone but towards winter i will prolly keep them in a created pen like u did that sounds like a great idea and my dad is a builder so that helps alot. Also how did u keep the humidity up the tank i am gettin it has bars like one of those crittertail hamster cages if u know wat im talkin about but a ton bigger so is there anything i could put over the bars to keep the humidity up
much help appreciated
much help appreciated
Hummm....I'm not sure. I guess you could surround 3 sides of the tank with plexiglass or something similar to keep in the humidity but allow for airflow. Like I mentioned before, you can buy a small tub and flip it over and cut a whole for your turtle to crawl inside and line the bottom with some damp moss to hold the humidity.
im note sure i think it was vicious who posted a outdoor enclosure pic thread that he made you should check that out...it might be bloodyirish...im not sure
Pfft. I wish the weather up here would permit an outdoor enclosure, and my wallet would be able to buy and feed some turtles. The only wild herps I have seen this far up north are garter snakes...
Vicious is the guy you're referring to. His turtles won't end up being a dog meal.
Vicious is the guy you're referring to.
His turtles won't end up being a dog meal.
TheBloodyIrish;981243; said:Pfft. I wish the weather up here would permit an outdoor enclosure, and my wallet would be able to buy and feed some turtles. The only wild herps I have seen this far up north are garter snakes...
Vicious is the guy you're referring to.
How far north do you live, and what part of Canada are you in? I wonder if you could keep a 5-lined skink colony outside or something.
My city is about 55° 10' North. I might have to look it up in a field guide if the 5-lined skink can be kept that far up north. Either way, it would have to be imported or captive-bred since keeping natives is illegal.