Outdoor Enclosures for Box Turtles
(And other Terrestrial Turtles)
For those of us who are lucky enough to live in a temperate area with normally good weather, we are able to give our Box turtles occasional time “outside”. In some parts of the U.S. this means just an occasional vacation out in the sun for a few hours a day, where in other areas this extends out to sometimes weeks or even months. And for those of us in the Southern and Western States it can very well mean having our turtles outside all year long, even during the mild winters where they will naturally hibernate and reemerge in spring.
Because of this, Box turtle owners frequently inquire about the ways of properly constructing outdoor areas for their turtles. Areas that provide good exposure to the sun, adequate areas of shade to escape the midday heat, access to clean water, and of course provide a safe environment. But before these questions can be addressed properly, it is important to review a few basic traits common to Box Turtles and many other terrestrial turtles. Once these traits are recognized, they can be provided for within your turtle’s new outdoor paradise.
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Temperature: Box Turtles are not generally a mid-day or “basking” family of turtles. Anyone who has studied Box Turtles in an outdoor setting, and within their natural habitats note that most Box Turtles are usually active between the 65-80 degree range. Typically, more lively in the cooler morning hours, and diving for cover as the mid-day heat arrives. It is usually far later in the day, with temperatures subsiding, that they reemerge to forage for food before evening. Overheating must therefore be a prime concern when designing a proper outdoor enclosure, and plenty of areas of shade must be incorporated into the design.
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Water and Feeding: Box turtles have a well-known fondness for water. Along with a common shallow container of drinking water, a place within the enclosure where a small water hole or flooded grass area can be created is a special treat. Soaking, digging, and foraging for insects in the cool water, mud, and grass is a favorite past time in outdoor settings. It also allows for an area where the turtles can cool down if daytime heat becomes oppressive, and of course remain hydrated. Food sources, such as TropicZone Box Turtle diets or complimentary fresh items should be kept dry in a shaded/covered area.
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Safety: Box Turtles, like most turtles, are escape artists. Their uncanny ability to climb is often times overlooked or underestimated. They are also accomplished diggers, which means that they have equal skill at escaping an outdoor enclosure from below as from above. Construction of a proper outdoor enclosure must take these traits to heart, or your turtles will soon be headed down the road to greener pastures. Equally as important as keeping your turtles inside the enclosure is keeping potentially harmful elements outside the enclosure: neighborhood dogs, cats, and even wild animals and birds could possibly be a problem you didn’t count on. Always side on the side of safety for your turtles. One final note on safety is in regard to the use of glass containers such as aquariums or terrariums, these glass units should NOT be used in outside conditions with terrestrial turtles, as the glass tends to amplify the sun’s rays (much like a greenhouse) and can easily cause problems through overheating.
So now, with these basic requirements and considerations in mind, let’s look at a few suggestions for outdoor enclosures suitable for Box Turtles, Wood turtles, Blanding’s, and many other terrestrial imported species with similar requirements.
Your first decision is to decide what type of enclosure would best suit your needs, either a temporary enclosure which can be used at specific times of the year (and so, be portable) or a more elaborate enclosure that would be available year round and take on a more permanent position in your yard. This will all depend on your yearly weather conditions, the space available to you, and how often you plan to bring your turtles outdoors.
Temporary Enclosures: Temporary enclosures are generally used for shorter periods of time, maybe just a time or two each season or even a short romp for your turtles on a nice summer day. Sometimes weather or space in the yard do not allow for a larger permanent structure, so these temporary “pens” suffice. Despite their smaller size and temporary use, these enclosures must provide the same basic considerations as the larger permanent structures: heat control, water/moisture, and of course- safety. These turtle pens can take on many forms, but below are two common examples.
Dog crates & Play-yards. These wire enclosures are basically a wire perimeter of various heights and lengths, giving them a lot of versatility as to the size enclosure you create. Many come with tops and bottoms. They can be set up anywhere, taken down quickly, and be economical to purchase. Be cautious as to the size opening in the wire grid, so the turtles cannot slip through the wire. If this option is used, the wire perimeter must be fasten securely to the ground to prevent turtles lifting up the wire to escape. A 3 inch to 4 inch wood board along the bottom of the perimeter, or cement block, will help stop the turtles from pushing against the wire, which will prevent any possible injury and aid in preventing escape. A shaded hiding place, or a solid piece of plywood, covering half the pen, will provide areas of shade. The pens top opening should be securely covered with wire or screen to prevent unwanted visitors from climbing in. With lots of water to play in and proper food available, your turtles should enjoy their time outside.
Kiddy Pools: Another commonly used portable enclosure is the kiddy pool. It can be used indoors or outdoors and works relatively well in many situations. Although it does not grant access to the ground or grass to forage in, it is very hard to climb out of and can be a great place where the turtles can appreciate being out in the sun for a while and maybe enjoy a shallow swim. Wire rings are easily constructed to keep uninvited critters out. A Plywood top can be used to provide shade from the sun over one half, the other half wire screen to let in the sun and keep the turtles safe.
Whatever form your temporary enclosure takes, take care to provide for the basic big -3. Proper exposure to temperatures, good access to water and food, and good safety practices.
Permanent Enclosures: Permanent outdoor enclosures give you the instant opportunity to have direct outdoor access for your turtles whenever the weather allows. It also allows you more creativity to establish your turtles perfect environment. It too should provide the basic considerations of proper sun/shade areas, so to offer good sunlight yet prevent overheating, great access to water areas and food, and of course, a safe and secure situation for your turtles. There are as many possibilities and ideas for the construction of an outdoor enclosure as there are Box Turtle enthusiast, but let’s review a few of your options.
Location: Once a permanent enclosure is constructed, moving it is seldom a happy decision, so picking out the enclosure’s location should take some thought. The area should receive good sunlight, especially in the morning and evening times. If it is shaded a bit during the afternoon, all the better. If possible, it should have some protection from winds you may experience in your area, whether hot and cold. This allows you at least some control over environmental conditions. Also, the area should have good drainage, since the enclosures perimeter is generally enclosed, rainwater must have some outlet as to not flood the entire pen.
General Design: All designs vary, however most outdoor turtle enclosures for terrestrial turtles consist of a barrier wall around the perimeter of the space. This wall separates the enclosure from the rest of the world and is designed to keep your turtles in the provided space and (hopefully) everything else out. This barrier wall can be constructed of many difference materials, including rock, brick, or block, and of course wood, wire, or a combination of all. Corrugated metal panels have worked in larger situations but metals ability to retain/reflect heat makes it tricky to work with. Whatever your choice is, the perimeter wall must be tall enough to prevent the turtles climbing out, and constructed in a way that prevents the turtles from digging underneath. Usually the larger the enclosure, the less incentive the turtles have to escape. Once the perimeter wall is completed, you must now provide shaded areas where the turtles can escape the direct sun/heat. This can be accomplished by either providing a partial cover over the entire enclosure, or by providing individual shaded areas within the enclosure (caves or wood hideouts, bushes, or dwarf trees). Either way, keep an eye on these areas to be sure the turtles have a way to keep cooler in the summer heat. Next is the water source, this can be as simple as a large flat dish or as extensive as a shallow pool made of plastic or concreate. Just make sure the turtles can easily enter and exit the water, and it is easy for you to keep clean. All food sources can be placed out of the sun/rain in one of the covered shaded areas.
Depending on your own situation, you may want to provide extra protection by providing a cover for the top of the enclosure. This can consist of various types of wire or even plastic gardening mesh. This extra protection helps prevent any turtles with outstanding climbing abilities from mountaineering out, and any pesty cats or assorted critters from climbing in. After this, your enclosure is basically complete and all that is left is for you to add plants and natural decorations so that your turtles can feel at home. Take care not to pick any plants known to be toxic. Substrate for the enclosure can include grass, sand, and assorted (non-fertilized) planting soils.
Each Outdoor enclosure will be uniquely different, a combination of your own abilities, imagination, and resources. Box Turtles are very adaptive and as long as their basic requirements are met, it shouldn’t be long before they are settled in and enjoying the new habitat you have created for them…outdoors!
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