Setting Up a Tank for a Box Turtle

Box turtles make wonderful, beautiful pets if cared for properly. While it is not difficult to care for them, there are some things that many people do not know about box turtles, which can be deadly for the turtle, such as keeping them in a glass tank (box turtles will try to get through the glass) or keeping them in too small a space -- they need room to roam.

Things You'll Need

Large Rubbermaid container or other large plastic tub or bin, such as a toddler swimming pool
Gravel
Potting soil
Sand
Leaf mulch
Sphagnum moss
Round, flat rocks
Plastic hollow log
Pond for the turtle to soak in (any shallow, round container that will hold water)
Incandescent light bulb
UV-B ray light
Potted plants

Instructions

- 1
  Lay 1/2 inch of pebbles or pea gravel along the bottom of the large container.
- 2
  Mix together the potting soil, sand, mulch and moss in equal parts. Cover the bottom of the tub to a depth that will allow the turtle to completely burrow under the mixture.
- 3
  Create an area of flat rocks. This area is good for the turtle's feet and toenails. Add the plastic hollow log. Box turtles like to hide in hollow things.
- 4
  Add a pool for the turtle to soak and defecate in (add fresh water every day). The pool should be easy for the turtle to get in and out of. Plastic paint trays make good pools because they have a sloping side that the turtle can easily climb out of.
- 5
  Set up a lamp with an incandescent bulb to warm up one area of the turtle's home. Leave the other area cool. If the turtle will be outside and it's warm, don't worry about the lamp but make sure some of the area is shaded.
- 6
  Set up the UV-B ray light so that the turtle will have 12 hours of light per day. Again, if the turtle is outside and part of his home is in direct sunlight, you can skip doing this step.
- 7
  Add some potted plants for beauty and cover for the turtle to hide and sleep under.