Terrapene carolina (Common box turtle)

Age: Up to 100 years
Origin: North America and Mexico
Length: 11 to 22 centimeters
All box turtle species have a hinged belly shell, they can retract into their shell and then close it to protect themselves from danger. There are many different subspecies of the box turtle and they differ from each other, especially in size, color and markings.

Care:
Experience: Average turtle keeper
Food: Omnivore
Feed adult: 3 times a week
Feed young: 3-5 times a week
Water bowl: yes
Water change: daily

Power supply
Box turtles are omnivores but mainly eat grasses, herbs and hay. You can supplement this with vegetables such as bok choy, endive, tomato, Chinese cabbage, spinach, strawberries, broccoli and meadow flowers. Just like with ourselves, the diet must be varied, so try to alternate between the different choices of vegetables. Occasionally they would eat small invertebrates such as snails and worms and other species they can get their hands on.

In order for the diet to fully meet the interests of the animal, extra vitamins and calcium must be given. This can be done by giving extra vitamins and mineral preparations with the food. There are special preparations on the market for turtles.

Water
Box turtles are found in areas where there is a lot of water. The water bowl should be large enough for the turtle to bathe in but not so deep that it can drown. Clean, fresh drinking water must always be available.

Cleaning
Being the herbivores that they are, they also defecate like true herbivores. For this reason, it is wise to remove the faeces from the enclosure every day and to remove the dirty bedding once a week. In addition, it is wise to thoroughly clean the entire accommodation a few times a year, this prevents the accumulation of germs and bacteria.

Handling
There will be times when you will need to handle your turtle and it must be done correctly so that no injury or stress can be involved. Handle the turtle by grabbing it from both sides on the center of the shell. This works well when they are unable to scratch your hand with their paws. If this is the case, the turtle can deposit on your hand with all the consequences that entails. In addition, always wash your hands before handling and make sure to handle the turtle with both hands. With adult turtles it is wise to lift the turtle in pairs, so that you do not lift yourself.

Housing
Minimum size enclosure for an individual: Terrarium of 90x60x40 centimeters, outside 3m2 per individual
Area: 2.5-3m2 per adult individual
Day temperature: 28-40C
Night temperature: 17-20C
Hours of light: 12 hours
Humidity Level: 40 – 60%
Ground cover: grass or sand substrate

Design
The substrate of the enclosure must be deep enough for them to burrow into themselves. It is recommended to create shelters so that the animals can isolate themselves, this can be done by means of branches, logs or stones. When several individuals are housed together, this is very important so that they can isolate themselves from each other in the event of conflicts. However, the furnishing of the accommodation must be sturdy because they can quickly cause destruction with their weight and size. By using a spot on one side of the enclosure as a heat source, a temperature difference is created in the enclosure so that the turtles can find their desired temperature.
The box turtle, like other turtle species, cannot produce vitamin D without UV light. You can offer them the UV light by using the so nicely named UV lamp. A UV lamp in the enclosure is enough for the turtle to produce the vitamin D it needs.

Behaviour
Diet: herbivore
Lifestyle: test trial and day active

Character
Like almost all tortoises, the box turtle is also slow. They are often curious by nature, but they are also great destroyers.

Points of attention
box turtles are very good diggers. In their natural environment they dig long tunnels against the heat and in winter against the cold. It must therefore be prevented that they can dig themselves out in the enclosure.

Cost and Purchase
Legislation: The common box turtle falls under CITES II, to own this turtle species you need CITES or transfer papers. You should get this with the purchase.
One-off costs: This includes the costs for accommodation, lighting, heating, water bowl and decoration. This can cost a few hundred euros to a few thousand euros in total. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products.
Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the costs for the feed, which is a few tens of euros per year.

Unexpected costs: Costs are incurred when your turtle happens to get sick or your equipment breaks down.