- Dark leafy greens, such as collard greens, mustard greens, parsley, endive/escarole, dandelion greens, beet tops, spinach, and kale (but be aware of the oxalates in the type of greens you ...
- Chinese and green cabbage
- Green beans
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Grapes
- Apples (with skin but not seeds)
- Papaya
- Butternut squash
Does a box turtle make a good pet?
While common box turtles can make good pets, it’s not recommended that they be given as pets to children or first-time pet owners. This is because of the complexity of their care requirements and the fact that these turtles become stressed easily and don’t need to be carried everywhere or fiddled with all the time.
What type of food do box turtles eat mostly?
What Vegetables Can Box Turtles Eat?
- Radish Tops
- Romaine Lettuce
- Savoy
- Shredded Squashes
- Spinach
- Sweet Potatoes
- Swiss Chard
- Thawed Frozen Mixed Vegetables
- Turnip Tops
- Watercress
How do you take care of a box turtle?
- Make sure your terrarium’s water and air temperature is about 86 degrees Fahrenheit and that your baby turtle has access to both land and water.
- Make sure the water isn't too deep. ...
- Even the smallest turtles should have a terrarium or aquarium no smaller than 29 gallons, no shorter than 4 feet long, 18 inches wide and 18 inches tall.
When do you feed your box turtle?
What to Feed Your Box Turtle
- Vegetables and Fruits to Feed to Box Turtles. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables should be offered to your box turtle daily in order to provide a balanced diet.
- Insects to Feed to Box Turtles. ...
- Commercial Diets for Box Turtles. ...
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements for Box Turtles. ...
What should I feed my box turtle daily?
Captive box turtles may be fed a diet that is 50% mixed fresh vegetables with some fruit, and 50% low fat protein like canned low-fat dog food. Ideally the protein should be whole live foods like earthworms, mealworms, beetles, grubs, crickets, slugs and snails.
How often do ornate box turtles eat?
Feeding a Box Turtle An adult box turtle should be given meals at least three times per week, with meals every other day or every third day.
Can ornate box turtles eat lettuce?
Lettuce: Yes. Lettuce is very healthy for your box turtle to eat. It has little nutritional value and should be supplemented with bright vegetables and dark greens.
How much does an ornate box turtle eat?
Young turtles need to be fed a full meal every or every other day. Healthy adults only need to be fed full meals every 2-3 days. Box turtles will appreciate a small snack on the days when they go without a full meal.
Can ornate box turtles eat tomatoes?
Tomatoes are safe for a turtle. They are a fruit, which means that they are naturally higher in sugar than most vegetable food sources, however.
What can you not feed a box turtle?
If it's created for humans to eat, avoid giving it to your turtle at all times. Avoid feeding your turtle raw meats, feeder fish and fruits, except in limited cases. Kale, romaine lettuce and anacharis or waterweed are the best vegetable and plant staple foods. Use turtle pellets as your protein staple.
How long can a box turtle go without eating?
A so-called “sub-adult” turtle (six months to one year old) can't go more than a day without eating. An adult turtle should eat, on average, every 2-3 days.
Can box turtles eat bananas?
Yes, bananas are a safe food for box turtles and other turtles as well, but they should only be fed in moderation.
What human food can turtles eat?
They especially like leafy green veggies, so kale, collard greens, and mustard greens are both healthy and delicious for them. They'll also chow down on carrots, squash, green beans, and peas. As far as fruits go, you can give them bananas, apples, and pears, among other things.
Can ornate box turtles swim?
Whatever floats your boat. If an ornate box turtle does end up in deep water by accident, it can still swim well. They have fat deposits under their shells that makes them float. In fact, they are actually hard to submerge.
How long do ornate box turtles live in captivity?
32 to 37 yearsBox turtles, in general, have been recorded to live as long as 100 years, with most living between 40 and 60 years. The records for ornate box turtle longevity indicate animals living as long as 32 to 37 years.
Can turtles eat lettuce?
Is Lettuce Safe for Turtles? There isn't any type of lettuce that should be poisonous to a turtle. They can eat all kinds, and many varieties — like romaine and radicchio — are both nutritious and delicious for them. Iceberg, on the other hand, is basically just crunchy water.
What do box turtles eat?
Food and Water. Ornate box turtles are omnivores and require a varied diet. Calcium-dusted crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and earthworms, along with pinky mice, should be regular parts of the ornate box turtle 's diet. Grasses, dark leafy greens, and certain vegetables and fruits can also be given.
What is an ornate box turtle?
Lianne is a veterinarian, epidemiologist, and freelance writer who's written nearly 400 articles for The Spruce Pets. Ornate box turtles are one of two varieties of terrestrial turtles that are native to the central United States. They have a domed upper shell that's brown with yellow lines in ...
How much humidity do box turtles need?
Humidity. Ornate box turtles like a humidity level of around 40% to 50%. In the wild, they create a humid microenvironment for themselves by burrowing in moist soil, so it is essential to provide them with a substrate layer at a minimum of 4 inches deep in their enclosure. Regular misting of the enclosure is recommended.
What color is a box turtle's shell?
They have a domed upper shell that's brown with yellow lines in what's sometimes described as a starburst pattern. Their skin is dark gray with white or yellow spots, and there's sometimes green on a mature male's head. Ornate box turtles are one of the most popular turtle species to keep as pets. Thus, they’re typically easy to find ...
How to keep box turtles from climbing?
They need a large enclosure with room to move around and a high fence to keep them from climbing to escape. (They may be slow, but they do love to climb.) Also, provide several hiding places, such as logs or planks, in your turtle's enclosure. And use a thick layer of loose peaty soil or leaf litter for your turtle to burrow. Plus, include a shallow pan of water for soaking and drinking.
Why aren't box turtles good pets?
Most box turtles aren't good pet options for children because they can be shy and not take well to excessive handling. But ornate box turtles are a bit perkier and more personable than their box turtle cousins.
What is the best substrate for a turtle?
A common substrate, the material that lines the bottom of your turtle's enclosure, is peat-based soil (make sure it’s free of chemicals) mixed with sphagnum moss. Leaf litter also can be used. The substrate helps to mimic the animal's natural environment, as well as maintain the enclosure's humidity level. Plus, turtles like to burrow in their substrate. So if your turtle is on the larger side, provide a substrate layer that's at least 4 inches deep for it to satisfy its burrowing instincts.
What do box turtles eat?
Being omnivores, ornate box turtles eat a variety of insects, fruits, vegetables and protein items. Some good choices include gut-loaded insects like crickets, grasshoppers, mealworms and earthworms. You can also give them canned cat food, hard boiled eggs and ground beef. Don’t forget the greens and fruit!
What do you need to house a box turtle?
No matter where you house your ornate box turtle, they are going to need a nice, thick substrate layer for burrowing, cooling off and hiding. For an indoor enclosure, you can use something like peat moss, sphagnum moss, soil or a combination of these items.
What is an ornate box turtle?
Ornate box turtles are beautiful reptiles and very entertaining pets to own. With their high level of activity and lovely pattern, you won’t be able to stop yourself from watching these little creatures!
Why are ornate turtles so stressed?
However, ornate box turtles are very easily stressed. Overhandling, an insufficient diet, poor habitat conditions, or any other little fluctuation in their environment can cause a dangerous level of stress. Ornate box turtles do not like to be handled (more on that below).
How big should a turtle enclosure be?
A good size for an adult’s enclosure would be about 16 square feet. Try to make the enclosure out of material that is not easy to climb because your turtle will climb the sides and try to escape. Place your enclosure where it will get morning and afternoon sunshine.
How long do box turtles live?
The typical ornate box turtle lifespan can reach up to 37 years when given good care and proper conditions. That makes owning one a long-term commitment that you shouldn’t take lightly.
Where are ornate box turtles native?
The ornate box turtle ( Terrapene ornata ornata) is native to grassland areas in states such as Kansas, Iowa, Indiana and Nebraska. In fact, the ornate box turtle is the official state reptile of Kansas!
What are some good foods for box turtles?
The following list is a variety of fruits and vegetables (listed in no particular order) that have good calcium to phosphorus ratios and are suitable for box turtles to have included in their diets. Dark leafy greens, such as collard greens, mustard greens, parsley, endive/escarole, dandelion greens, beet tops, spinach, ...
What do box turtles eat?
Box turtles are omnivores, which means they will eat a variety of both animal and plant-based foods. The proportions of animal versus plant-based food items will depend on both the age and the species of box turtle that you are feeding.
What is the best ratio for calcium for turtles?
The items with the calcium greater than 1.0 are those which have a good ratio and should be emphasized in the diet. As an example, bananas (a favorite of many turtles) have a ratio of 0.3:1 (which is low) so this means they should be fed in moderation.
Do turtles need vitamin D3?
Turtles kept outdoors under natural sunlight will produce their own Vitamin D3 and won't need this vitamin supplemented, but calcium is still beneficial in order to prevent metabolic bone disease if you are not providing a well-rounded diet.
What do you feed a turtle?
A lot of people feed their turtles with crackers and bread, which can be an example of a raw food. 2). Freeze-dried foods: Freeze-dried foods are perfect for turtles because they don’t get sick as easily as most other types of food.
How do box turtles survive?
They can only survive for a short while without water.
What are the fruits that turtles eat?
The three most common types of fruit that are commonly eaten by turtles are banana, peach, and papaya. If your turtle has a favorite type of fruit it is important to know what fruits they can eat. Below is a brief description of what fruits they should eat and how often.
Can turtles eat straight food?
Keep in mind that most turtles don’t like to eat it straight, so it needs to be warmed up first. 3). Dry food: This food is also great for turtles because it doesn’t cause them to get sick as quickly as other types of food. However, you will want to be careful with this food.
Do box turtles drink salt?
Box turtles have evolved in such a way that they do not live in warm areas; they live in cold regions. Another thing that box turtles like to drink is road salt. In the spring and summer months, a box turtle will come out of the burrow to seek out road salt. The box turtle must get the salt in order to survive.
Can turtles eat berries?
Also, if you have a turtle that enjoys berries, then berries should be the most limited type of food. If it grows into the size that it can tolerate, you can add more berries as you see fit. These foods are not the best options for turtles with special dietary needs.
Do turtles eat food?
That’s the average amount of food that most turtles eat. However, when the turtle starts showing signs of distress, then you will want to be more careful with the food that you feed it. The frequency of feeding depends on several things, such as the size of the turtle, its health, and how much food is left over.
Minimum terrarium size for ornate box turtles
The minimum acceptable enclosure size for an ornate box turtle is 8 sq feet of floor space. Because ornate box turtles tolerate lower humidity levels, it’s possible to keep them in a large terrarium or a “tortoise table” setup.
Do ornate box turtles need UVB?
Yes, ornate box turtles require regular exposure to UVB light to maintain good health. The best UVB bulbs for ornate box turtles are:
Best temperature for ornate box turtles
Like other reptiles, ornate box turtles are cold-blooded, which means that they rely on external temperatures to manage their own body temperature and metabolism. A reptile’s enclosure should offer a range of temperatures to allow them to thermoregulate effectively.
Best humidity levels for ornate box turtles
Adult ornate box turtles need an average humidity of 40-50%, while hatchlings (which are vulnerable to dehydration) need 60-70%. There should always be a humid hide on the cool side, lined with moistened sphagnum moss or substrate. Humidity should be measured via digital probe hygrometer, with the probe placed in the middle of the enclosure.
Best substrate for ornate box turtles
Providing a thick layer of naturalistic substrate (“bedding”) will help maintain correct humidity levels and also provide something for your turtle to dig in as desired. We recommend using a mixture of 60% clean topsoil and 40% play sand for substrate.
How to decorate a ornate box turtle enclosure
An empty terrarium makes for a bored turtle, reducing its quality of life. Keep your pet entertained and engaged with its environment with the strategic use of décor items that encourage it to exercise natural behaviors!
What to feed to a ornate box turtle
Ornate box turtles are omnivorous, which means that they need both plant- and animal-based foods in order to get the right nutrition. For best health, offer a balance of 45% plants and 55% low-fat animal protein.
