What can I use for turtle bedding?
Newspaper, butcher paper, paper towels, or commercially available paper-based pelleted bedding or artificial grass made for reptiles (commonly called “reptile carpet”) is recommended. Some people suggest using straw, hay, or alfalfa pellets, as box turtles like to burrow.
Do box turtles prefer sun or shade?
Box turtles require natural, unfiltered sunlight for their health and wellbeing. Indoor turtles need at least 5% UVA/UVB lighting. Light bulbs should be changed every 6-9 months, as the UV output will decrease long before the light bulb burns out. Box turtles may hibernate in the winter depending on local conditions.
Do turtles need a bath?
Bathe your turtle occasionally. Aquatic turtles spend the majority of their lives in the water and if their tanks are kept clean, rarely need a special bath. However, your turtle might benefit from a cleaning if it starts to develop algae on its shell, or when it is shedding to help remove dead skin cells.
What kind of soil do turtles like?
A good box turtle bedding should be able to retain humidity well, allow burrowing, and be non-toxic. In my opinion, Eco-Earth plus organic soil, mixed with something such as sphagnum moss is the best overall substrate for box turtles. Other excellent choices for beddings are peat moss and cypress mulch.
Do box turtles need a heat lamp at night?
UVB Lighting is essential for Box turtles to process calcium in captivity. Without UVB lighting turtles will develop serious health problems such as Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), abnormal shell growth and other deformities. UVB Lighting should be left on for 10-12 hours per day and turned off at night.
Can box turtles drink tap water?
Do not use tap water for your tank, as tap water contains chlorine and possibly fluoride which can upset the pH balance of your system. De-chlorinated water needs to be used for the swimming area and filtered water for your turtle to drink.
How often should I soak my box turtle?
2-3 times weekly
It is also a good idea to soak your turtle in a shallow pan of lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times weekly. Always check water depth and temperature. Turtles can drown if left in too deep of water and are easily burned if water temperature is too hot.
Should I add salt to my turtle tank?
Salt when added to your turtle tank at the recommended rate is beneficial for several reasons as it adds vital trace elements, neutralizes harmful bacteria that accumulate in any aquarium environment, drastically reduces the chance of your turtle getting skin infections and helps to disinfect and heal minor cuts and …
Do turtles need dirt?
Turtles like to hide under things, and if their environment doesn’t offer any suitable hiding places, they’ll simply hide underground to protect themselves from the elements and from predators. Even indoor domestic turtles will sometimes bury themselves in their substrate to feel protected while they sleep.
How often should I water my turtle strings?
Only water when at the top of the soil is dry – typically, I suggest at least 2″ of topsoil is dry before watering. For many indoor gardeners, this means watering only once every two or three weeks, although your plant’s requirements may vary depending on the humidity level in your home and other factors.
How do I make my box turtle happy?
Always have fresh water available for your turtles, and change it daily to prevent algae or bacterial buildup. Use a wide shallow paint pan or pool that the turtle can get in and out of easily. Box turtles like to soak themselves and drink. A depth of 2–3 inches will be good for most adults, much lower for hatchlings.
Should you clean a turtle’s shell?
If you’ve never owned a turtle, you may not realize that cleaning them regularly is necessary for their good health. Even turtles that spend a lot of time in water need their shells cleaned off to prevent algae buildup. Proper cleaning will help your turtle live a longer, healthier life.