Three-toed Box Turtle

Looks how to spot one

Shell and skin

The three-toed box turtle has a high-domed, olive or olive-brown shell with faint yellow or orange lines radiating from the centre of each scute. The lower shell (plastron) is yellow with a single hinge that allows the turtle to close its shell tightly. The skin is dark brown or black, with yellow or orange markings on the head and forelimbs. Males often have brighter orange on the head and neck, and may have red eyes. The name comes from the usual presence of three toes on each hind limb, though some individuals may have four.15

Personality what they are like

Three-toed box turtles are generally quiet, shy and gentle. They are solitary animals and do not need companions. They may tolerate gentle handling, but many do not enjoy being held and should only be handled when necessary. They can become accustomed to their enclosure and are interesting to watch as they explore. They should be protected from other pets like dogs.43

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These turtles are active during the day, especially in the warmer months. They need a large enclosure with plenty of space to roam, burrow and explore. Outdoor pens should have sunny spots and shaded areas for thermoregulation, and indoor enclosures need a temperature gradient with a basking spot around 85°F and a cooler side at 70-75°F. They are not very active and do not need exercise wheels, but they do need space to move and dig.63

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Provide a large enclosure, either outdoors in a secure pen or indoors in a wooden vivarium of at least 6 feet by 3 feet. Use a substrate of peat moss, coconut fibre or clean topsoil, and keep humidity between 60 and 80%. A T5 HO UVB lamp is essential for indoor housing. Provide a shallow water dish for drinking and soaking, and a humid hide. Spot-clean the enclosure daily and replace substrate regularly. Feed on a flat surface and remove uneaten food promptly. A cuttlebone should be available for calcium.64

Home where they are happiest

Three-toed box turtles do best in large, outdoor enclosures with well-draining soil and rot-resistant walls at least 20 inches tall, with a barrier extending at least 10 inches underground to prevent digging out. Provide sunny spots, shade, shrubs, logs and ground cover. Indoors, use a large wooden enclosure with a heat bulb at one end (around 85°F) and a cooler end (70-75°F). Humidity should be 60-80%. They need a humid hide and a shallow water pan. They are solitary and should be housed individually. In some regions, keeping them may be regulated; check local laws. They are not venomous, but they are protected in some areas and may be illegal to collect from the wild.631

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivorous. Young turtles eat mostly animal matter such as earthworms, insects, snails and slugs. Adults eat a mix of animal and plant matter, including berries, mushrooms, young shoots, and occasionally carrion. In captivity, feed a varied diet of commercial turtle food, dark leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, and live insects like crickets and mealworms. Adults can be fed two or three times a week, while hatchlings every other day. Always provide a cuttlebone for calcium.734

Company who they like around

Three-toed box turtles are solitary and do not require companions. They should be housed individually to avoid stress or aggression. They are not social and do not need interaction with humans, though they may become accustomed to their keeper. They should be protected from other pets like dogs. In some areas, they are protected and may not be kept as pets; check local regulations.41

The story where it all began

The three-toed box turtle is a land-dwelling turtle native to the central United States, particularly Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. It has been kept as a pet for many years, but it is not an easy species to maintain in captivity. Many wild-caught individuals slowly starve or develop shell deformities if not given proper care. The species is protected in Missouri, where it is illegal to collect from the wild. It became the official state reptile of Missouri in 2007. In the wild, it lives in open woodlands and grasslands, and can live for 50 to 80 years or more.18

Recognised by the official bits

Missouri Secretary of State

Official state reptile of Missouri since 2007.8