Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

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Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina carolina
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)
Name Eastern Box Turtle
Name Lat. Terrapene carolina carolina
Family Pond Turtles & Box Turtles
Family lat. Emydidae
Order Turtles
Order lat. Testudines
Origin SE-USA
Habitat Shrub and grassland
Diet Insects, fish, veggies
Humidity 60-80 %
Behavior Peaceful
Keeping Individual, pair, harem
Care Level Moderate
Reproduction Oviparous
Housing Semi-humid terrarium
Life Span 25-30 years
Protection CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size 17 cm
Temperature 25-30 °C
Temperature Local 30-35 °C
Housing Size 120 x 60 x 50 cm
US Units
Size 7"
Temperature 77-86 °F
Temperature Local 86-95 °F
Housing Size 45" x 25" x 20"

Distribution and habitat

Eastern box turtles are widely distributed in the eastern United States, from southern Michigan to Georgia and Florida. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including open deciduous forests, brushy grasslands, stream valleys and marshy meadows.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals 5PL x 2,5PL (L x W)

The carapace length (PL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal the footprint must be increased by 10%, from the 5th animal by 20%. A terrarium of e.g. 120 x 60 x 50 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a spacious terrarium, structured with epiphyte branches, stones and arched bark (hiding places), a deep, burrowable and moisture-retaining substrate, e.g. of sand-loam-peat mixture, plants and a large, shallow water basin as well as dry basking places. Part of the substrate should always be kept slightly moist. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water, but a misting or rain system is better.

Temp. day: 25-30 °C Temp. night: 18-22 °C Temp. local: up to 35 °C Humidity: 60-80

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs depending on the season. They need high light intensity and daily UV irradiation as well as sunny places with radiant heat.

Diet

In the wild they feed mainly on insects, berries, mushrooms and carrion. The food supply consists of ground beef, slugs and snails, earthworms, fish with heads and scales, and nesting rats and mice, supplemented with pelleted ready-made food for turtles and canned dog food. In addition, they absolutely need lettuce, endive, carrots, tomatoes, fruit, mushrooms and berries. They drink a lot, accordingly, must always be available sufficient drinking water. It is important to regularly add minerals and vitamins

A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The males have a concave ventral carapace and a thicker tail than the females. On each of its hind legs there is a toe pointing forward (copulatory claw).

Before mating, the male circles the female, bites her forelegs, and then pushes her forward. The eggs, up to 8 in number, are laid about 20 cm deep in sand-soil mixture. The incubation period is 45-65 days at a temperature of 27-31 °C.

The life expectancy can be 25-30 years.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported in writing to the competent authority immediately after the start of keeping. Subsequently, all arrivals and departures must be reported. Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Protection of species: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe!

Important

They owe their name to a transverse joint in the abdominal armor (plastron), which allows them to fold up parts of the abdominal armor and thus, for their protection, close all armor openings.

Recommended is hibernation for 6-8 weeks in soil-moist substrate at 10-12 °C.

In order not to distort the native fauna, they must not be released into the wild under any circumstances

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species-specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag; ROGNER (2009): Taschenatlas Schildkröten, Verlag Ulmer

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF