How to Breed Three-Toed Box Turtles

Three-toed box turtles are terrestrial turtles that live wild throughout much of the American south, but are often kept in captivity, as well. These animals are generally regarded as prolific breeders, and reproduction in captivity is not uncommon. It does take a bit of work, however. In order to encourage your turtles to breed, you will need to set aside a designated breeding space -- some form of enclosure -- within your turtle habitat. This will require some effort in coordinating lighting and temperature controls to optimize egg laying and hatching conditions.

Things You'll Need

  • Climate controlled enclosure
  • Jungle litter dirt substrate
  • Water bowl
  • Spray bottle
  • Calcium powder
  • Styrofoam cups
  • Vermiculite
  • Incubator
  • Hatchling tank
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Instructions

    • 1

      Introduce a breeding pair or turtles into the climate controlled enclosure, which is typically indoors, and allow them to settle in. The enclosure should include jungle litter as a substrate, a food and water bowl, a shelter, and the proper basking areas. Depending on where you live, you may need to control the climate with air conditioners or heating units.

    • 2

      Withhold food from the turtles for two weeks prior to beginning their hibernation and nesting period. Do not withhold water. Fasting the turtles will allow them to excrete all food items from their systems that would otherwise rot during the hibernation period.

    • 3

      If you are breeding the turtles in a season other than fall, set the temperature in the enclosure to 60 degrees Fahrenheit over a period of two weeks by lowering the temperature by one or two degrees per day. This will induce the hibernation period. Allow the turtles to hibernate for 30 to 60 days.

    • 4

      At the close of the hibernation period, increase the temperature in the enclosure by one or two degrees every day two weeks until it the climate reaches 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit, which simulates the spring time. If you do not have a climate controlled environment, or spring is not typically warm where you live, use heat lamps and gradually increasing the wattage over that same two-week period. Begin feeding and watering the turtles normally again once the temperatures have stabilized.

    • 5

      Wait for the turtles to copulate. This could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Sprinkle calcium powder on the female's food in the meantime, which will allow her body to make eggs more easily. The female should lay up to 10 eggs within a few weeks.

    • 6

      Place each egg in a styrofoam container with vermiculite as a substrate. Incubate the eggs at a temperature of 71 F to 79 F with an 80 percent humidity. The eggs will begin to hatch after 75 to 85 days.

    • 7

      Transfer the baby three-toed box turtles to a hatchling tank. The tank should be sized at at least 20 gallons, and should contain clean water as well as basking sites. It should be heated to 76 F to 80 F. Feed the babies worms, crickets and various turtle-safe plants along with calcium powder to support healthy growth.