Baby Box Turtle Enclosure (Pictures)

[KevinGG]

I am so excited!! I will most likely be picking up the two three toed hatchlings saturday, if not Sunday. Here is the enclosure. I went with the 40 gallon breeder instead of the Rubbermaid tub. I have some moss on one side as well as a few young spider plants(which I have read are okay, please tell me if otherwise). I have 2 feeding slates and an 8 inch terracotta saucer. And on the other side I have a big pile of leaf litter. Substrate is coconut coir potting soil and peat moss. Lighting I went with the UVB tube light and 60 watt incandescent bulb. Here are some pictures. Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. and a picture of my dog smiling

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Oh wow, that looks great for babies. I do not have box turtles but it looks lovely and like you covered all bases. Yay! : )
And your doggie, oh my gosh, that doggie's face is I gotta pee now funny. Love your doggie. I hope he is happy about the turtles and not getting a tad mad. : O

 

[wellington]

Looks nice. Spider plants are okay. I don't see a hide, but not sure if they would use one or just dig into the substrate. Maybe others that have boxies will chime in.
Your dog doesn't like his picture taken I see

 

[KevinGG]

I knew I forgot to put something in I had to pots already cut for hides. Here are the hides

 

[mikeh]

Looks like perfect environment for boxie hatchling. Keep the substrate moist, humidity up and hatchling will grow like in the wild.

 

[terryo]

Fantastic enclosure! You can add some pothos. They grow fast, and are low growing if notin a haging pot, and they love to hide under them. Ferns are good too. I never use a hide, just leaf litter. Throw a bunch of worms and pill bugs into the leaf litter. They will multiply and box turtles love to dig around for their own food. Helps keep their nails and beak short too. You did a great job with that enclosure.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

Looks great! They will love the leaf litter. So glad they're going to a good home!

 

[KevinGG]

They LOVE the leaf litter. They tried out the hides but have since moved to the leaf litter. I love seeing there little heads poking out of the leaves every now and again. And we can't forget the size comparison picture. I used a tangerine. Terry, I added about ten pill bugs and ten earth worms and have witnessed only one failed attempt at a catch, but I am sure they have caught a few under the litter already. I will add the pothos soon. Whenever I get a chance to cut a clipping from my overly huge plants! Thanks guys

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Are these babies from kimber? Very cute

 

[KevinGG]

Yes they are.

 

[CapturedSerpant]

Are those little styrofoam balls I see?

 

[KevinGG]

No they aren't. The organic potting soil I use has little rocks. I also thought they were styrofoam until I picked them up. Also they sink in water

 

[CapturedSerpant]

Ahh, hokay! Was just curious. Looks good, you are going to have a heck of a time finding them when they start digging! Lol, has always frustrated me when trying to find them to feed and soak em. You end up destroying the cage.

 

[KevinGG]

Ya it doesn't help that they are the same color as the leaves

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Are the rocks perlite?

 

[KevinGG]

They might be. Is that a problem?

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Yes. They could eat it and cause a blockage.

You should use top soil not potting soil. Even though it's organic. Potting soil has the perlite medium as a way to keep nutrients by the roots. But it's not safe for your babies.

Home Depot sells a plain, untreated top soil by EarthGro. It's a white bag with a red label. Only $2.27 and less than 1/2 the bag fills my 40gallon breeder tank with 3-4" of soil.

 

[KevinGG]

You got it. Will just add 3-4 extra inches to what I already have. It'll give a little more space for plants to grow too. Thanks