Box turtles are amazing pets, but you need to know how to care for them. They have amazing personalities and a life span of over fifty years. If you need a long-term pet, then a box turtle could be what you have been looking for.
Yes, box turtles need water, but not necessarily in a tank, as they are semi-aquatic animals. Box turtles need regular access to water for various purposes. Below are some of the reasons why water is so important for a box turtle:
1. To Manage their Temperatures
Box turtles do not always need to stay in the water and thus do not need to live in a water tank. However, they need water daily to cool their bodies.
Box turtles take water every ten to twelve hours and dip into the water as often as they need, especially on sunny days, because they are cold-blooded reptiles and need water to regulate their temperatures.
2. To Quench Thirst and Aid in Eating
Turtles generally have salivary glands that only aid digestion and fail to lubricate the mouth during chewing.
Box turtles must therefore live near water, as it is essential to helping them chew their food effectively. Water is also essential to quench their thirst.
Caring for a Box Turtle
Box turtles are highly susceptible to stress and thus require maximum care. They prefer to live outdoors, in an environment that mimics their natural habitat.
You must ensure you have enough space in your backyard, or if there are harsh conditions outside, ensure you set up a mimic of the outside indoors.
Box turtles also need shade to protect themselves from sunlight. Ensure that in their cage space there is enough shade and enough sunlight to balance both the hot and the cold temperatures.
How Much Water Does a Box Turtle Need in Its Tank?
A box turtle needs just enough water to dip into. This is because box turtles can easily drown. They lack gills to breathe underwater, and their feet are not webbed.
As a result, they are poor swimmers and only need water to cool their bodies.
Moreover, putting your box turtle in a tank is not advisable. A water dish or tray is enough, so they can easily climb into the dish and climb off. A water tank is ideal for other turtle species that live mainly in water.
What Is the Best Water Dish for a Box Turtle?
The best water dish for a box turtle is a shallow and wide bowl or pan. It should be shallow to make it easy for the box turtles’ short legs to enter and exit the bowl.
Ensure the water dish is heavy enough not to tip over. An approximate depth of 3.81 cm, or a maximum of 1.5 inches, is enough for the box turtle to dip into and still raise its head above the water.
How Often Do You Change the Water in a Box Turtle?
You should change the water in a box turtle twice a day. If you are very busy, you can change it once. Box turtles always defecate in their water.
Additionally, you can create a routine to change the box turtles’ water as you give them their meals. Box turtles take their meals once a day.
As they take their meals, they drink water to aid in chewing. This is the best time to change the water to make sure they enjoy a balanced, healthy meal with clean water.
How Long Should a Box Turtle Soak in Water?
A box turtle should soak in water for approximately two hours every day. Soaking in water is essential to ensuring they are hydrated.
However, two hours is an approximate time. A box turtle can stay in the water longer, depending on the weather and the level of heat from the sun.
What Type of Water Is the Best Type for Turtles?
The best water for turtles is water that has had a water conditioner added to it and has been filtered to remove debris.
Since water is essential for the welfare and survival of your turtle, you should check several things before giving it to it.
Below are some of the things to consider before giving your turtle water:
1. The Presence of Chlorine and Fluorine
Chlorine in turtles makes them uncomfortable and causes them stress due to its irritability in their eyes. Flourine can cause skeletal weaknesses in your turtles.
Moreover, most chemicals in water, including copper from copper pipes, kill the good bacteria found in the turtle tank or bowl due to the alteration of pH levels.
2. The Hardness of Water
The common question is, What happens when you put a turtle in tap water?
A turtle put in tap water may begin rotting its shell. This is because tap water is often hard due to its calcium levels.
Calcium deposits on a turtle’s shell cause it to rot. Check for white spots on your turtle’s shell to ensure there are no calcium buildups.
3. Minerals in the Water
Minerals such as iron in water are essential for the bones of tortoises. Giving distilled water to your tortoise may lead to the deprivation of your box turtle’s very important minerals.
When using distilled water, adding these minerals that are healthy for your tortoise is advisable. Using a water conditioner would solve the problem if you could not access the minerals.
Should I Throw a Turtle to the Water?
No, it would be best not to throw a turtle into the water. There are different species of turtles. Some are aquatic, and others are semi-aquatic. Semi-aquatic turtles, such as box turtles, cannot swim.
Therefore, throwing a box turtle into the water could cause it to drown.
If you want to throw a turtle into the water, ensure it is an aquatic turtle and that it will swim easily. However, throwing a turtle is quite a rough thing to do. You can place the turtle near the water and let it find its way into it.
Additionally, a turtle’s shell is a living bone sensitive to pain. Throwing a turtle into the water could result in injuring the shell if there is a rock in the water. The shell of a turtle is important and its only defense from any threat.
How Do I Know If My Turtle Needs to Be in Water?
You can tell when your turtle needs to be in water by the signs of dehydration. Identifying when your turtle needs water is essential to ensuring they remain healthy.
Here are some characteristics of a turtle that needs water:
- Sunken eyes
- Wrinkled and dry skin
- Cracked shell
- Flaky and less flexible skin.
How to Avoid Dehydration of Your Turtle
Lack of enough water for your turtle would cause stress and even physical health problems.
Here are ways to avoid dehydration in your turtle at all times:
1. Ensure the water dish has clean water every day.
2. Wash the water dish with mild soap to avoid a foul smell that could keep your turtle away from the water.
3. If you notice signs of dehydration, give your turtle wet foods to help increase their intake of water.
4. Ensure the humidity levels in its cage are favorable. You can install a sprinkler to spray water from time to time and ensure high humidity.