Two Best Pet Box Turtles

Box turtles have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. The most common box turtle varieties kept as pets require minimal maintenance and are easy to care for, including the Eastern box turtle and the three-toed box turtle. A closer look at these two common box turtles can help you decide if owning a box turtle is a good choice for you and your family.

Eastern Box Turtle

Eastern box turtles are among the most common box turtle subspecies. Most grow to become from 4 ½ to 6 inches in length, although some may grow bigger and others may stay smaller. You can easily recognize the Eastern box turtle by its dark brown carapace, typically with red or yellow spots. Outside your local pet store, find this box turtle in its native range, which runs from Maine down south to Georgia and into the Midwestern states like Illinois and Michigan. This type of box turtle can easily live from 40 to 100 years with proper care, including maintaining its environment at the right humidity and temperature and feeding the turtle a healthy diet composed of grubs, mealworms, seeds, berries, and snails.

Three-Toed Box Turtle

Similar in size to the Eastern box turtle, the three-toed box turtle is also a popular option for pet owners. Recognize this turtle by its narrower and slightly higher dome and its yellow/brown/olive green lines and spots. Its range is mainly the southern and central states where it seeks out habitats with the right humidity and sources of food. Three-toed box turtles tend to live a few decades, with some of them even reaching 50 years of age if they receive the right type of care including a diet that’s a mix of plants and meat.