Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina carolina
The Eastern Box Turtle is a charming terrestrial turtle native to the deciduous forests and meadows of the eastern United States, ranging from Maine south to Florida and west to Michigan and Texas. Unlike most turtles, box turtles have a hinged plastron that allows them to completely close their shell when threatened, forming a nearly impenetrable box — the trait from which they take their name. Their high-domed carapace features attractive patterns of yellow, orange, and brown on a dark background, and each individual's markings are unique. Eastern Box Turtles are omnivores that enjoy a diverse diet of earthworms, slugs, berries, mushrooms, and dark leafy greens. They thrive best in large outdoor enclosures where they can dig, forage, and experience natural light cycles, though indoor setups with appropriate UVB lighting and humidity can work during colder months. These turtles are long-lived commitments that can survive for over fifty years with proper care, so prospective keepers should be prepared for a decades-long relationship.
Habitat
Deciduous forests, meadows, and floodplains
Diet
Omnivore (earthworms, slugs, berries, mushrooms, leafy greens)
Lifespan
40–60+ years
Difficulty
intermediate
Recommended Products
Everything you need to create the perfect habitat for your Eastern Box Turtle.
Accessories
Zoo Med Digital Thermometer Humidity Gauge
A digital combo unit that displays real-time temperature and humidity readings, essential for monitoring the warm, humid conditions Eastern Box Turtles require.
REPTI ZOO Reptile Mister 2L
A pressurized hand mister for daily humidity boosts, essential for maintaining the moist environment Eastern Box Turtles require to stay hydrated and shed properly.
Zoo Med Habba Hut Large
A natural half-log hide that provides a secure retreat for your Eastern Box Turtle, mimicking the fallen logs they shelter under in the wild.
Zoo Med Repti Ramp Bowl Large
A large water dish with a gentle entry ramp that allows your Eastern Box Turtle to easily climb in to soak and hydrate, an essential daily activity for this species.
Enclosures
Zoo Med Wood Tortoise House
A solid wood tortoise table-style enclosure that provides open-top ventilation and ample floor space for an Eastern Box Turtle's terrestrial lifestyle.
Waterland Tubs 50 Gallon Reptile Tub
A spacious waterproof tub that can be set up with a deep substrate layer, a large water area, and plenty of floor space for an Eastern Box Turtle to forage and explore.
Sterilite 105 Quart Storage Box Clear
A budget-friendly, large plastic tub that makes an effective indoor enclosure for a single Eastern Box Turtle with room for substrate, hides, and a water dish.
Zilla Turtle Topper Above Tank Basking Platform
An above-tank basking platform that maximizes usable enclosure space by placing the basking and UVB zone above the main habitat area for your Box Turtle.
Food
Rep-Cal Calcium with Vitamin D3 3.3 oz
A finely ground calcium powder essential for dusting food items to prevent shell deformities and metabolic bone disease in Eastern Box Turtles.
Josh's Frogs Live Red Wigglers 100 Count
Live earthworms that are a favorite natural prey item for Eastern Box Turtles, offering excellent protein and encouraging natural foraging behavior.
Mazuri Tortoise Diet 12 oz
A commercially formulated tortoise pellet that can supplement the fresh food diet of Eastern Box Turtles with balanced vitamins and minerals.
Zoo Med Can O' Worms 1.2 oz
Canned moist earthworms that are a convenient protein source for Eastern Box Turtles, ready to serve without the hassle of maintaining live worm colonies.
Heating
Zoo Med Repti Basking Spot Lamp 75W
A focused basking bulb that creates a warm 85–90°F basking spot for your Eastern Box Turtle, encouraging natural thermoregulatory behavior.
Fluker's Ceramic Heat Emitter 60W
A lightless heat source for maintaining safe nighttime temperatures in the Eastern Box Turtle enclosure during cooler months without disrupting sleep cycles.
Zoo Med ReptiTherm Under Tank Heater Medium
A supplemental heat mat that can warm the substrate on one side of the enclosure, creating a gentle thermal gradient for your Box Turtle to choose from.
Inkbird ITC-308 Digital Temperature Controller
A reliable thermostat that prevents overheating by automatically controlling basking lamps and heat emitters within the safe temperature range for Box Turtles.
Lighting
Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO 10.0 UVB 22 Inch
A high-output UVB tube essential for Eastern Box Turtles to synthesize vitamin D3 and properly metabolize calcium for shell and bone health.
Zoo Med T5 HO Reptisun Terrarium Hood 22 Inch
A compatible fixture for mounting T5 UVB bulbs above your Eastern Box Turtle enclosure, with an integrated reflector for maximum UV delivery.
Zoo Med PowerSun UV 80W Self-Ballasted Mercury Vapor Bulb
A combination UVB and heat bulb in one fixture, providing both the essential ultraviolet light and a basking hotspot Eastern Box Turtles need in a single lamp.
Arcadia T5 HO Forest 6% UVB Kit 22 Inch
A forest-rated UVB kit that provides moderate UV output appropriate for a forest-dwelling species like the Eastern Box Turtle, replicating dappled woodland sunlight.
Substrate
Exo Terra Plantation Soil 7.2 Quart
A compressed coconut husk substrate that expands when hydrated, offering a clean and natural floor covering that holds moisture well for Box Turtles.
Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss 150 Cubic Inches
A large bag of sphagnum moss that can be layered over substrate or placed in humid hides to create the damp microhabitats Eastern Box Turtles seek out in the wild.
Zoo Med Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fiber 3-Pack
An absorbent coconut coir substrate that can be mixed with topsoil and moss to create a moist, diggable forest floor for your Eastern Box Turtle to burrow in.
Zoo Med Forest Floor Cypress Mulch 24 Quart
A natural cypress mulch that retains moisture beautifully, helping maintain the 60–80% humidity Eastern Box Turtles need while resisting mold growth.