How to Care for Hatchling Florida Box Turtles

Florida box turtles are just one species of North American box turtle. Each type of box turtle requires similar care, and differs mostly in size and appearance. Florida box turtles stay small, growing to only between 4 and 6 ½ inches long. These pets require a lot of work, but can live for many years and are fascinating to watch. Florida box turtle hatchlings also require specific care since they are more prone to health threats such as disease and dehydration. Although much time and energy must be spent caring for them, raising Florida box turtles can be a rewarding experience.

Things You'll Need

  • 50-gallon plastic container
  • Rocks and logs
  • Sphagnum moss, sand or coconut fibers
  • Hiding place items such as hollow logs or small flower pots
  • Basking light
  • Various turtle foods including moist trout, cat chow, bloodworms, earthworms and sow bugs
  • Cuttle bone
  • Dry leaves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Leave the Florida box turtle hatchlings in their incubation container for the first few days after hatching. Most box turtles emerge from the egg with a yolk sac still attached. This sack provides vital nutrients, which the hatchling will absorb over the next two or three days. Moving the hatchlings during this time can rupture the yolk sac, disrupting this process.

    • 2

      Provide a habitat for the hatchlings. Florida box turtle hatchlings, like most box turtle young, are susceptible to dehydration. Therefore, it's best to set up a habitat that's semi-aquatic. An opaque, plastic container, about 50 gallons in size, usually works well for keeping hatchlings. Fill the bottom of this container with about ½ inch of fresh water. Replace the water with clean water every day.

    • 3

      Provide dry places in the habitat where the young Florida box turtles can get out of the water. This can be done in two ways. One end of the container can be tilted up, so that the water pools at the other end. Or, you can add rocks, logs or piles of moss around the habitat. Either way, it should be easy for the young turtles to move away from the water to prevent drowning.

    • 4

      Place a substrate of sphagnum moss, sand or coconut fibers in the dry parts of the habitat. Moss is often the best choice for this period of the hatchling's life, as it stays moist and is easy to burrow into.

    • 5

      Provide hiding places for the hatchlings. Hollow logs or overturned flower pots work well.

    • 6

      Maintain a warm temperature for the hatchlings. The warmest end of the habitat should be around 85 degrees F, while the cooler end should be around 70 degrees F. A basking light can be used to maintain the temperature.

    • 7

      Offer a variety of different foods to entice the hatchlings to eat. Most box turtle hatchlings won't eat for the first few weeks of life, but after that, items such as moist trout and cat chow, bloodworms, earthworms, and sow bugs can be given. Although adult Florida box turtles are omnivorous, the hatchlings are mostly carnivorous. Provide a cuttlebone for calcium.

    • 8

      Move the hatchlings to a terrestrial habitat, of the same size, at about 4 to 6 months old. Use a mixture of moss, sand and leaves as a substrate. Instead of an aquatic setup, provide a large water dish, into which the hatchlings can climb for basking.