Box Turtles in the Yard

A healthy, happy box turtle in a natural environment.

This captive bred turtle is able to live its life as close to wild as possible. That is the best situation for a pet box turtle. If you see a box turtle in the wild, don't remove it from its wild home. It will always long for it and try to return.

Box Turtle Care & Other "Turtle" Stuff! :)

	The Box Turtle Manual (Herpetocultual Library) Amazon Price: $5.54 List Price: $8.95
	Box Turtles (Complete Herp Care) Amazon Price: $0.75 List Price: $10.95
	North American Box Turtles: A Natural History (Animal Natural History Series) Amazon Price: $29.95
	The Guide To Owning A Box Turtle Amazon Price: $2.80 List Price: $9.95

Care of the captive bred pet box turtle..

A box turtle is a great, low maintenance pet for a small yard. Just be sure that your yard is very, very securely fenced so that your turtle can't get out and wander away. Your box turtle needs plenty of space - at least 9 square feet. Be sure it has soft dirt to dig in, a shady place to rest all day, and a water dish to soak in. Feed your box turtle fresh fruits and veggies. Strawberries, peaches, oranges, bananas, dark green leafy veggies like spinach, kale, romaine, and other dark lettuces. Do not feed iceberg lettuce. It has no nutritional value, and your pet can starve to death eating it.

An occasional spoonful of dog food (no more than one or two times a week)is appreciated. Box turtles also like bugs like earthworms, crickets, etc. Buy them from a pet store or a bait store. That way you will be sure they haven't been exposed to any pesticides.

Buy your box turtle from a reputable breeder who does not catch them in the wild. Or better yet, obtain your pet from a turtle rescue. Never catch wild turtles yourself. They are protected.

Be sure you are prepared to take good care of your box turtle for a long, long time. They can live to be 125 years old!

Your box turtle will need attention every couple of days during warm weather, but he or she will hibernate during the winter. Just be sure to watch for your pet when spring comes and be sure to have water available.