Care of Maryland Land Turtles

Maryland has a rich natural ecosystem and spans multiple biomes, including the watery Chesapeake Bay and dense deciduous forests. Land turtles, or terrestrial turtles, are fairly common throughout Maryland, with one of the more popular species, the Eastern Box Turtle, being somewhat common in both the wild and as pets. Special attention must be paid to these animals, however, if you ever wish to house one in captivity.

  1. Housing

    • Terrestrial turtles don't get too large, usually no more than a foot long, but they still need quite a bit of space to move around. Whether the enclosure is a large aquarium or a fenced-in area like a dog kennel, make sure it's at least about 3 feet wide and 4 feet long.

    Food

    • Terrestrial turtles are omnivores, but prefer fruits and vegetables. Make sure to chop up fresh fruit and veggies every day, making a salad in a plate or shallow bowl, and remove whatever it doesn't eat at the end of the day to avoid attracting flies. Your turtle will also occasionally accept earthworms, but be careful not to feed it anything you find outside as it may be contaminated with pesticides. Instead, purchase night crawlers or other bait worms at a local bait store. You can put a bowl of water in the enclosure, but chances are your turtle will just use it to soak its shell every once in awhile instead of drinking it; it will derive most of its water from the fruits you feed it.

    Heating

    • Turtles are cold blooded animals, meaning they're exothermic and cannot produce their own body heat, instead relying on outside sources to keep them warm. Use a heat lamp with a 75-watt bulb to keep your turtle warm during the day, with the temperature hovering around 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit. You can allow the temperature to drop at night by turning your heat lamp off, but never let it go below 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit or so.

    Substrate and Shelter

    • Terrestrial turtles will not (or rarely) swim, so unlike aquatic turtles which require their enclosures to have extensive ponds, terrestrial turtles simply need a few inches of moist soil or dirt, which can be purchased from a local pet store. Giving it a shelter is also important, as it needs a place to hide when it gets stressed, but it doesn't have to be anything fancy. A simple cardboard box with one side cut out should do just fine.

    Dangers

    • While keeping a turtle can be a rewarding experience, there are a few hazards one must consider when keeping one. Handling turtles can result in the transmission of Salmonella, which can be potentially fatal to children. In fact, it is illegal to sell or possess any turtle with a shell under four inches in length, though many sellers at flea markets claim to sell them for "educational purposes." Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soaps after handling turtles or making adjustments to their enclosures.