Building an Outdoor Pen for Pet Box Turtles

Depending on where you live and the species of box turtle you are keeping, an outdoor pen might be a year-round home, a home for part of the year, or just a place for your turtle to enjoy warm afternoons. No matter which, most experts agree that spending at least some time outdoors is very beneficial to box turtles kept in captivity. The aim is to make the outdoor pen match their natural habitat as closely as possible. The following advice applies primarily to North American Box Turtles, with a few modifications noted for ornate box turtles.

Pen Size

Some experts recommend a minimum of 4 feet by 8 feet for a box turtle pen, especially if you have multiple turtles or it is a full-time home. If space is an issue and you only have one or two turtle, a smaller pen will suffice, but try to keep it at least 4 feet by 4 feet. In the wild, box turtles tend to roam over fairly large distances and will be stressed if cramped.

Placement

You will want to place your turtle pen in a sunny location—preferably where there is some sun most of the day, especially morning and early afternoon sun. Don't place it in a heavily shaded location. One of the benefits of your turtle being outdoors is that it can get ultraviolet light from the sun, which it requires for Vitamin D synthesis. Don't forget to provide some areas of shade within the pen, however, so it doesn't become overheated.

Construction Materials

Solid sides are preferred by many owners, as some turtles will vigorously try to get through a wire fence, whereas if they cannot see beyond the walls they won't spend as much time trying to get out. Untreated wood or cement blocks are good choices. A heavy gauge wire has also been used by some owners, but keep in mind that turtles may be able to climb a wire fence, so you will need an overhang into the enclosure or even a cover to prevent escapes.

Preventing Escape by Digging

Box turtles are good diggers, so the sides of the cage should be sunk into the ground. In addition, concrete paving stones placed around the inside perimeter of the enclosure flush with the ground will help discourage digging. Wire mesh can be also be laid flat a few inches under the soil extending from the walls well into the enclosure. Use a fairly heavy wire for this to prevent turtles from cutting themselves on the wire mesh if they do dig.

Height

The height of a turtle pen should be at least twice the length of your longest turtle. For box turtles, 18-24 inches should be high enough. Surprisingly, box turtles are good climbers.

Covering the Pen

A cover can be made of a wooden frame with wire mesh. A cover will help keep climbing turtles in, and more importantly, predators out. Keep in mind that wandering pets and wildlife can pose a threat to your turtles.

Furnishing the Pen

• Hides: Half logs, plant pots on their side (dug into the dirt a bit), or wooden boxes (even small plastic igloo-type dog houses) work well for hide-houses. Have at least one hide per turtle, possibly more.
• Water: A shallow pan of water (e.g., a saucer from a large plant pot) can be sunk into the ground. If you sink it into a gravel area it won't get muddy as fast. It must be easy for the box turtles to get in and out of the water pan. The water dish must be large enough for the turtles to completely sit inside of the dish.
• Burrowing Spot: Dig up an area and mix the soil with leaf litter, grass clippings (pesticide-free!), shredded bark, or bark chunks to make a nice loose mix that turtles can easily burrow into. They will burrow to keep cool when it is warm or to hibernate when it is cold.
• Plants: Plant the pen with non-toxic plants. Try food items like collard greens, kale, parsley, strawberries, raspberries, clover, alfalfa, etc. Box turtles are omnivores that will nibble on leaves and flowers, as well as eat insects and worms.
• Other Items: Sticks, small logs, and flat stones give the turtles something to explore.

Sprinklers

If possible, installing a sprinkler system is an ideal way to give the turtles a misting regularly. If not, remember to put a water sprinkler in your turtle pen daily.

Be Creative

If you can't build an outdoor pen you should still strive to give your turtle time outdoors. A large plastic tub or even a kid's wading pool can make a good outdoor playpen. Use cypress bark and soil in the bottom and add some hides and a shallow pan of water. Use potted plants for shade (and snacking).

Ornate Box Turtle Modifications

Ornate box turtles come from more arid areas and have a strong instinct to dig. They need lots of loose, deep soil for digging (and good safeguards against escape). Their pens should be planted with items such as prairie grasses, wildflowers, sagebrush, and scrub oak.