Gulf Coast Box Turtle (Western Type)

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Adult Box Turtles—especially Terrapene carolina and its subspecies—are hardy, long-lived, and behaviorally fascinating terrestrial reptiles. They’re ideal for keepers who want a low-maintenance but deeply engaging species with strong regional variation. Here’s a full breakdown:

🐢 Adult Box Turtle Profile

Box turtles are terrestrial and behave more like tortoises than aquatic turtles. They’re known for their ability to seal themselves inside their shell completely—a rare trait among turtles.

🧬 Species & Subspecies Highlights

• Eastern Box Turtle (T. carolina carolina)**:
  • Orange/yellow markings on dark brown shell
  • Found in forests and meadows across the Eastern U.S.
• Three-toed Box Turtle (T. carolina triunguis)**:
  • Fewer markings, often olive or brown
  • Native to the central U.S.
• Ornate Box Turtle (T. ornata ornata)**:
  • Radiating yellow lines on a dark shell
  • Found in grasslands and prairies
• Coahuilan Box Turtle (T. coahuila)**:
  • Only the aquatic box turtle
  • Native to Mexico; rare in captivity

🏡 Enclosure & Setup

• Indoor Setup:
  • Minimum: 40-gallon breeder tank or 3×2 ft tortoise table
  • Substrate: Coconut coir, cypress mulch, leaf litter
  • Lighting: UVB + basking bulb
  • Temps:
    • Basking: ~85°F (29°C)
    • Ambient: ~75°F (24°C)
    • Night: ~65°F (18°C)
  • Humidity: 60–80% depending on species
• Outdoor Setup (ideal for adults):
  • Secure, predator-proof pen
  • Deep soil for burrowing
  • Leaf litter, logs, shaded areas
  • Shallow water dish for soaking

Box turtles are burrowers, climbers, and escape artists—enclosures must be secure and enriched.

🍽️ Diet & Feeding

• Omnivorous:
  • Protein: Earthworms, snails, crickets, boiled eggs
  • Vegetables: Collard greens, squash, carrots
  • Fruits: Strawberries, melon, mango (sparingly)
  • Supplements: Calcium + multivitamin 2x/week

Feed 3–4x/week for adults. They’re opportunistic scavengers, often drawn to carrion and fungi in the wild.

🧠 Behavior & Temperament

• Diurnal: Active during the day
• Solitary: Prefer living alone
• Territorial: Males may fight if housed together
• Handling: Tolerant but not cuddly—best enjoyed through observation

They’re curious, slow-moving, and surprisingly expressive—some recognize their keepers and respond to feeding

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