How to Mate Box Turtles

Box turtles do not need humans to encourage them to mate. Males are always ready, unless they are hibernating. Females will automatically seek out the attention of males when they are ready to mate; all you have to do is introduce the male to the female. However, you can take a few steps to make mating a little more comfortable and natural for your box turtles.

Things You'll Need

  • Plain sterile potting soil
  • Large flat rock
  • 10 small rocks
  • Four small logs
  • Shallow dish, twice the size of your turtle
  • Dome lamp
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill two areas of your box turtle's enclosure with 8 to 9 inches of soil for nesting. Surround the nesting areas with five rocks and two logs each so your box turtle feels safe burying its eggs.

    • 2

      Insert a large, flat rock into the cage so your box turtles can bask in the sun. Clip a dome lamp on the side or top of the cage to heat up the flat rock.

    • 3

      Place a shallow dish in the cage. Fill the dish with fresh water.

    • 4

      Place one male and one female box turtle in the enclosure. Watch for mating to take place. Separate the box turtles when mating is complete, so the female can bury the eggs.