Box Turtle Care

Box turtles tend to do well either outdoors, or in a large indoor enclosure. Many people do keep them in aquariums. I have my box turtle in a 40 gallon tank. One type of indoor container that actually works quite well though is a large Rubbermaid tub. Rubbermaid tubs and specially built wooden boxes have an advantage over glass aquariums because they have opaque sides. Some box turtles will obsessively try to get through the glass to get to the larger area that they can see on the other side. Others become frightened by any activity in the room and will not relax until the sides are covered.
If you live in the southern states, you should seriously consider an outdoor setup with sun, shade, a variety of weeds, and a small pond of water that is deep enough for swimming. Turtles are happier and healthier under these conditions. Some type of protection is required to prevent raccoons, dogs, or other predators from entering the enclosure. But box turtles kept outside need to be in a warm climate about 70-74 degrees Fahrenheit.
Burrowing into the substrate or hiding under a hollow log or "cave" of some sort makes box turtles feel secure. A variety of logs and caves are sold at many pet stores. You should also make the substrate deep enough for the turtle to burrow completely under. Flat rocks in one area will help keep the turtle's toenails in good shape, although i just use the rock feeding dish as a scratching rock for my turtle.
Box turtles enjoy wading and soaking in water, so provide some sort of pool. They will often defecate in their water container, and that helps keep the enclosure clean, if the water is replaced daily. Box turtles kept indoors should be placed in water to soak every day. Box turtles may be clumsy swimmers, but many of them do seem to enjoy it if a deeper pond is available in an outdoor enclosure.
American Box turtles are omnivores and will enjoy fruits, fungi, veggies, greens, mollusks, worms and insects, like crickets. Many box turtles tend to be very picky eaters, so if you’re turtle doesn’t eat the first thing you put out, try something else. You will just need to find the specific meal your turtle has a taste for.