how deep does a hole for a box turtle need to be?

Answer 1

You do not need to dig a hole for a box turtle. They can dig holes themselves very well and it keeps their nails from overgrowing.

If the hole is too deep, they will have trouble getting out. In fact, they don't really dig hoels per se. They burry themselves and cover themselves with dirt. They often to this to thermoregulate (to keep warm or cool) b/c they are cold blooded animals. Yong hatchlings bury themselves as a method or survival.

If you are building a pen, use soil with leaves on top. You should plant some small shrubs to give it some shade.

Here is a caresheet:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-easternboxie.htm

Answer 2

For escaping summer heat, nesting, or hibernation?

In all of these cases, the turtle will do their own digging- it is good exercise for them, and they are better at knowing their needs than we are.

In an outdoor enclosure, you might need to loosen up some soil if it is compacted. Mix in some sand and compost if needed- good garden soil is good box turtle soil!

Indoors, you might provide a digging box- a simple tub or box at least shoebox size, but bigger is better. Good clean garden soil is fine to fill it, and it should be just barely damp- be able to make a ball but not squeeze any water out of it. I like to perforate the bottom of the tub to prevent water from pooling up inside. Some people put a bottom layer of rock for that purpose.

Cover the top of your digging box with a few layers of clean, damp leaves to help minimize dirt tracking and hold in the dampness.

if the box turtle is trying to hibernate in the fall, you'll want to do a little research on the subject so you can treat it right.

Answer 3

i have two box turtles tyson and evander and i went to the pet store and bought a treated half hollowed log, they love it, i also got them a swimming pool about 12" by 12" and 3"-4" deep because they love to get in it for a few hours a day.

Answer 4

we made a square out of lumber for box turtles my son found. We put probably 2 feet of dirt in. The box turtles buried under for winter and in the spring dug themselves back out. It was so cool.

Answer 5

it should be about 6 to 8 feet deep and 5 to 7 feet wide

Answer 6

about as deep as a shoe box. use a shoe box and not a hole