Box turtle cage?

[turtleowner4]

My box turtle is still tiny, I'm not sure what age but I would say probably a year or two. Would a 20 or 35 gallon tote work for him during the winter or do you think it needs to be bigger?

 

[G-stars]

Bigger is always better. I think the general rule is 4x8. Maybe a 50 gallon tote would work?


— Gus

 

[terryo]

Be careful you don't get anything too big because it will be hard to find him once he digs under the substrate. I have a little Gulf Coast who's almost two and I keep him in a 40 gal breeder. I have a 60 wt. CHE and a 5.0 long tube UVB on top. Some plants to hide under and a large water dish. Even though he's inside for the Winter, he has slowed down a lot and sometimes doesn't come up to eat for two or three days.

 

[turtleowner4]

What kind of plants are okay to put in his cage?
I have leaves in there but thought I'd try a plant or two but idk what's good for the and what's not. Right now, he's inside for the winter but will be outside in the summer.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Whatever you plant will be destroyed from the burrowing and bulldozing, so don't plant anything you're too attached to. I toss in grass seeds, and let the seeds from everything they eat germinate.

 

[terryo]

Do you mean outside enclosure. Inside it's hard because they will destroy most plants. Outside, if it's big enough most plants will thrive. I never had a problem with the outside plants. This is outside in the Summer.

 

[turtleowner4]

Are fiddle sticks ok for turtles? Something they can climb or hide under?
What else could I put in there for the turtle? More of a natural look or just to make it more comfortable?

 

[lismar79]

@terryo what is the yellowplant in your picture called. I have it in my landscaping and wondered if it was safe.

 

[turtleowner4]

I went to the pet shop and I can't find the the right UVB I need for my box turtle there so I am trying to find them on amazon so I can order it instead.

Would this UVB work? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A8RHTYU/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[turtleowner4]

The pet store told me this UVB would work for all turtles, this is just like the sun that's shining through the trees http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00101JI2Y/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

But i was told this one might work better
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A8RHTYU/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20


Any idea what one would work best or if those don't work, what is best to use for UVB