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Box turtles (genus
Terrapin) are relatively small, land-dwelling reptiles with a unique, hinged shell design enabling
them to completely withdraw their head and limbs and totally close their shell (like a dosed box). This design
affords total protection to their soft tissues when threatened by predators.
Box turtles are very popular as pets in the United States. Most of the box turtles
kept as pets are collected in the United States, but 4 species are also found in Mexico. The Eastern or Common
Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)
and the Three-Toed Box Turtle (Tenapene carolina
triunguis) seem to be
the hardiest in captive situations.
Natural History
The range of the box turtle varies from the open woodlands of the Eastern Box Turtle,
the swampy environment of the Florida species (Tenapene carolina bauri), the marshy habitat of the Gulf Coast Box Turtle (Tenapene
carolina major), to the harsh desert environment of the Desert Box Turtle
(Terrapene ornata luteola). Box turtles
are terrestrial but occasionally enter water for soaking and/or drinking. They are generally regarded as poor swimmers.
Box turtles appear to be long-lived. One Three-Toed Box Turtle apparently lived
130 years at an Eastern zoo. Another was found in 1931 with a nearly worn-away date of 1809 carved into its shell!
Box turtles are omnivorous. They enjoy both live, whole animal food (earthworms,
slugs, snails and other invertebrates), as well as fruits and berries.
Mating season occurs after the turtles emerge from hibernation. Courtship may be
prolonged, involving the male's biting of the shell and limbs of the female. During copulation, the male is locked
onto the rear margin of the female's shell by his hind feet and leans over backwards. During mating season, the
male may exhibit increased activity and "penis fanning". The penis resembles a purple flower that may
be mistaken for a prolapse by those unfamiliar with the turtle's normal anatomy.
Egg-laying usually occurs in June and July, in the late afternoon or early evening.
Between 2 and 7 (usually 4 or 5) eggs are laid, measuring 3/4 of an inch by 1 1/4 inch Females can retain semen
for long periods after copulation. One such documented case involved a captive box turtle laying 5 fertile eggs
4 years after any possible contact with a male.
Housing
The most suitable environment to satisfy the roaming habits of box turtles is a
large, fenced enclosure or yard. Box turtles are escape artists and good climbers, so fences should be intact and
secure. Use of chicken wire to reinforce fences in poor repair is recommended. The habitat should contain low bushes
to Provide protection and privacy for the turtles. Shade and a shallow source of water are essential. Some fanciers
advocate use of dry leaves to enable the box turtles to burrow.
Indoor enclosures are not nearly as desirable unless they can be spaciously constructed.
A mature box turtle should
not be
housed in a small terrarium as is common practice. Terrariums can be used as temporary housing at night for box
turtles allowed outside in the daytime. An indoor enclosure can be constructed with high wooden sides, indoor-out-door
carpeting on its floor for ease in cleanup; and a large terra cotta or ceramic saucer to hold drinking water. A
focal heat source (hot rock, lamp, heater) that allows the turtle to voluntarily warm itself should be provided
in an indoor habitat Visual security is an often overlooked aspect of captive reptile husbandry. Many box turtles
will not feed in the presence of people and require a hiding area for this purpose and for additional security.
Artificial sunlight is a necessity if a box turtle is housed for long periods indoors.
The Vita-Lite (Duro-Lite Lamps, Duro-Test Corp, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071) is an acceptable substitute for incidental
sunlight It provides the ultraviolet spectrum needed by vertebrates for vitamin D metabolism and calcium utilization.
Incandescent light bulbs, filtered sunlight (through window glass) and plant lights are not acceptable alternatives.
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VETERINARY
ASSOCIATES STONEFIELD