How to Setup an Indoor Aquarium for a Three Toed Box Turtle

Three-toed box turtles are a type of eastern box turtle with only three toes on each foot. These turtles can be found in the wild from Missouri to South Texas and Alabama, in wooded areas or meadows near a source of water. Three-toed box turtles make small, gentle pets that rarely bite. However, it is extremely important to keep these turtles in the proper environment if keeping them as pets. An improper habitat can cause severe health problems and eventually death.

Things You'll Need

  • Large tub or terrarium
  • Pea gravel
  • Sand
  • Peat moss
  • Cypress mulch
  • Water
  • Shade plants
  • Palm fronds
  • Sheets of bark or slabs of slate
  • Bricks
  • Terrarium mister
  • UV light fixture and bulbs
  • Heat lamp with heat bulb
  • Digital terrarium thermometer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a large plastic tub, stock tank or glass terrarium to create an enclosure for the turtle. If using a plastic tub or stock tank, make sure that the tank is at least 48 inches wide, 84 inches long and 24 inches deep. For terrariums, look for one that holds at least 55 to 75 gallons.

    • 2

      Add 10 inches of pea gravel to the bottom of the enclosure for drainage. On top of the gravel, place a mixture of equal parts peat moss and dampened sand. Finally, place a layer of cypress mulch over three-quarters of the peat moss and sand mixture.

    • 3

      Plant shade loving plants in the enclosure, such as pothos, English ivy or ficus. Try planting the plants in the corners or in one area of the enclosure--you don't want to fill the enclosure with plants, you are simply giving the turtle some shade and privacy.

    • 4

      Place a few large leaves or palm fronds over some of the plants or cover some corners to add more hiding spots for the turtle.

    • 5

      Construct a shelter for the turtle by making two columns of bricks (two to three bricks high) about 6 to 12 inches apart. Place a sheet of bark or a slab of slate on top of the columns (make sure it is sturdy and won't fall on your turtle).

    • 6

      Install a terrarium mister on one side of the enclosure. These attach differently according to type of mister, but often attach with hooks or suction cups. Program the mister to heavily spray the enclosure with warm water once weekly during warmer months and every other week in cold months.

    • 7

      Set up a shop light fixture over the enclosure and install UV bulbs into the fixture. Place a reptile lamp (also known as a clamp lamp) on the side of the enclosure and install a 100-watt UV heat bulb in that lamp. The combination of lamps provide the turtle with the heat and vitamins it would receive from the sun in the wild.

    • 8

      Use a terrarium thermometer to ensure that the area under the heat lamp remains a constant 90 to 95 degrees F, especially during summer months.