How to Care for Asian Box Turtles

Asian box turtles, Cuora amboinensis, are hearty, freshwater turtles that are native to the lowland equatorial rainforests of southeastern Asia. In the United States, Asian box turtles are popular pets that can live more than 100 years when provided with the proper care. Asian box turtles enjoy large, heated aquariums that offer equal space for swimming and basking. Though caring for an Asian box turtle is a big responsibility, it can also be quite rewarding.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-gallon horizontal aquarium
  • Decorative or pea gravel
  • Large rocks or decorative branches
  • Spring, filtered or purified water
  • Aquatic plants (optional)
  • Aquarium water heater
  • Aquarium water filter
  • UVB full-spectrum aquarium light
  • Commercial turtle food
  • Fresh foods, such as vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, crickets or waxworms
  • Aquarium net
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a 20-gallon, horizontal glass aquarium to serve as the habitat for your Asian box turtle. Asian box turtles prefer habitats that are 50 percent land and 50 percent water, and the long-style tanks provide a greater surface area. Add 2 to 3 inches of decorative or pea gravel to the bottom of the aquarium. Stack large rocks and natural or plastic branches in one half of the aquarium to provide a place for your turtle to bask.

    • 2

      Fill the aquarium with 6 inches of spring, filtered or purified water. Avoid using tap water, which contains chemicals that may be unsuitable for your pet. If you must use tap water, let it sit out for at least 24 hours to allow the chemicals to dissipate. Add a few fresh aquatic plants, such as anacharis, duckweed or water hyacinth, for your turtle to snack on between meals. Lower the aquatic plants into the aquarium and form the gravel around the root systems to hold them in place.

    • 3

      Install an aquarium water heater and set the thermostat to between 79 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit; wait for the water to reach this temperature range before adding your Asian turtle to the aquarium. Install an aquarium filter according to the product installation manual. Clip a UVB full-spectrum aquarium light over the turtle's basking area. Turn off the light at night.

    • 4

      Provide your Asian box turtle with a healthy and balanced omnivorous diet. Feed the turtle two or three substantial meals per week. Supplement a diet of commercial turtle food with fresh foods such as vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, crickets or waxworms. Place the food directly into the water when feeding your Asian box turtle; use an aquarium net to remove any uneaten food after 20 minutes.