Box turtles are terrestrial turtle species. They are popular with turtle enthusiasts and hobbyists. But if you’re still a beginner, you have to consider a few things before taking one home. Juvenile box turtles will do just fine in a terrarium. When they become adults, it’s best to give them an outdoor habitat.

If you don’t have the area to build an outdoor habitat, you should think twice before getting a box turtle. Keeping it indoors means that you have to build a huge terrarium for it. That will be expensive and not ideal for homes. An outdoor pen should be more cost-effective and will make the box turtle happy.

Box turtles are not easy to care for and it can be expensive to keep them. It also needs a long-term commitment to being a box turtle owner. They have a long lifespan of 25 to 35 years or can even live up to 100 years old. The good part is you can pass it on to your children as a long-time pet.

These turtles are very docile creatures and they are peaceful. You don’t have to worry about it biting. But like any other creatures, if they feel the need to defend themselves, box turtles will bite. They do this in the wild and even in captivity when they sense danger. For them, biting is the most efficient way to survive a predator’s attack.

Do Box Turtles Bite?

Yes, box turtles bite as well like other turtle species. But they only do this when they feel the need to defend themselves. They are very friendly and peaceful creatures. Although when threatened, they can hiss as a warning. After that box turtles can snap or bite if they come face to face with a predator.

Adult box turtle bites can hurt a lot, especially for small children. They can inflict serious injuries when they snap. As much as it sounds scary, box turtles don’t often bite. It’s their defense mechanism and will only snap when they feel danger. They are not dangerous like other reptiles.

Box turtles are capable of inflicting pain from their bites. Although they are not aggressive by nature. The only time they might bite you is when you push it to its limits. If they feel that they are being mistreated or roughly handled, it will cause them to bite. When they feel very hungry, stressed, or on nesting, they will resort to biting to protect themselves.

Although these turtle species bite, they don’t have teeth. They will use their flat beak to snap which is not as painful as other turtle species bites. If you get bitten and the box turtle doesn’t let go, it can cause swelling on the bitten part. Avoid pulling away or its grip will be stronger. When this happens, seek medical treatment right away.

What are the Reasons Why Box Turtles Bite?

1. Feels Threatened

Generally, most turtle species are not aggressive. They are docile creatures but if threatened, they will bite quickly. There are different reasons why box turtles feel this way.

Loud noises, changes in the environment, or even food can trigger them to feel threatened.

You have to be careful when you move the box turtle to a new location. It will avoid getting bitten if you handle it properly. Make sure to avoid holding it near its head. It will give the box turtle easy access to bite you. A new environment can make them feel unsafe.

2. Stressed Out

When a box turtle is stressed out, it will bite. They are prone to stress especially when they’re hungry, in a new environment, or becoming territorial. During the making season, box turtles can be stressed out as well. Competing for a potential partner makes the male box turtles aggressive.

If the box turtle is hissing, panting, or retracting, those are signs of stress in turtles. The best thing to do is to give it some space and leave it alone for some time. Let it calm down before approaching it again. The box turtle may bite you when it’s stressed out.

3. Protecting the Hatchlings

The maternal instincts of box turtles are strong compared to other turtle species. They can be defensive when it comes to their offspring. Provide your turtle enough space especially during the nesting period. Leave it alone if you don’t want to get bitten.

Fight the urge to hold the hatchlings especially if the mother box turtle is near. It will not think twice to defend its offspring and bite you. Baby turtles are very cute but it’s not good for them to be handled. You might injure the hatchling especially if it’s your first time holding one. Just keep your hands off.

4. Handled Roughly

Box turtles are not an expressive type of pet. However, they can tell if someone is being rough with them. They also know if you’re careful and gentle when holding them. If you’re a beginner, make sure to be extra careful when handling your box turtle. Avoid its head and mouth area and don’t hold it abruptly or it will bite when surprised.

5. Feels Hungry

When turtles feel hungry, they will take any opportunity to eat. They are known to be opportunistic eaters. It means that they can mistake your finger for food. The box turtle will try to take a bite. Like other animals, they will feel irritated when hungry. Holding it during these moments is not a good idea. Feed it first to make sure it’s full to avoid its bite.

Do Turtle Bites Hurt?

Compared with other turtle species, the box turtle’s bite is not as painful. Even if you get bitten by it, that’s not going to cause the skin to break. Although their bite can feel uncomfortable. It’s like getting pinched hard for adults but for children, their bite can be painful. Keep the kids away from turtles.

The range of pain when you get bitten by a box turtle also depends on which part. Being bitten on your fingers can be painful compared to when it’s on your toes. But it can be agonizing if the box turtle ends up biting your arm. It also varies from the pain threshold of a person.

When box turtles mistake your finger for food, the bite is not that bad. Unless you’re very sensitive, it should not hurt normally. If you have a regular pain threshold like other people, the box turtle’s bite will not be painful. Although the skin on the bitten area may turn pinkish, that’s the worst they can do.

But if the box turtle bites in self-defense, it’s another story. If the turtle seems like it is not planning to let go, it can be very painful. It can provide a bruise and it can end up in a wound. Make sure to check for blood one but let’s go. If there is, you need to visit your doctor to avoid infection or further complications.

Is It Dangerous to Get Bitten by Box Turtles?

No, it’s not dangerous to get bitten by a box turtle. They are not venomous like other reptiles. Box turtles don’t carry dangerous viruses or parasites. You may feel a bit of pain when bitten but it’s not going to be serious.

But the problem is, turtles are known to carry Salmonella.

If you notice a wound or it’s bloody, it’s best to be treated by a medical professional. Salmonella can be transferred to him and it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other health concerns. Make sure to ask for help when bitten and wash it with soap and water right away. It will help to avoid it from spreading.

What Are the Effects Of A Box Turtle’s Bite?

When a box turtle bites you, it will not be that painful. You may not even feel any pain at all but it will feel uncomfortable. That’s if the turtle did not bite your finger too long. It can still result in bruises on the bitten part. The box turtle’s bite is the same feeling when you bite your finger softly.

The pain will feel insignificant although you can still feel it. Children may feel pain since they still have softer skin than adults. If your toes get bitten by the box turtle, it may hurt a little bit. It depends on the box turtle’s age and size as well. Also, if you get bitten in your arm, it can hurt more but it’s not agonizing.

Being bitten by the box turtle can provide a small bruise. It can go away within the day which is good. Although if you get injured by its bite, it can last for a few days. It will heal fast without worrying about scars. When the box turtle feels unsafe, it will bite as hard as it can. But it can only give you a small wound.

What to Do If You Get Bitten by a Box Turtle?

After the box turtle bites you, wash the area with soap and warm water immediately. Going so will prevent infections from occurring. Out the bitten part under running water. It will help the pain to subside if you feel hurt from the bite. After that, put on some antibiotics and cover it with bandages to avoid infections.

Don’t put the box turtle back to its terrarium right away after it bit you. They will think that it’s good behavior and develop a habit of biting every time. The box turtle will take it as a reward for being a good pet. Instead out there in a different compartment. It will feel discomfort being in a different environment

When you see a little blood from the bitten area, have a doctor treat the bite. Although it may not be painful, it’s still better to be safe. Don’t wait to be treated the next day and do it as soon as the box turtle lets you go. After getting treatment, take care of the wound. Clean it until it’s gone to avoid infection.

What To Avoid If a Box Turtle Bites You?

Don’t pull away if the turtle dont want to let you go. Doing that will stress the turtle and end up biting harder and longer. Wait and be patient until the box turtle lets you go. Just hold your reflexes to pull away. Wait until the turtle lets you go to avoid further injury.

Avoid hitting or punishing your box turtle physically after it bites. It can lead to further biting since it will feel the need to defend itself. Turtles don’t bite unless it’s needed for their survival. It’s better to think about what triggered it to bite. That will help you to understand your pet better.

Can You House Multiple Box Turtles?

Box turtles prefer to be alone instead of being with a companion. They are solitary creatures and these turtle species don’t live in groups even in nature. It means that it’s best for them to also be alone in captivity. But if you like to have more than one box turtle, they will be alright to be together.

However, don’t forget that not all of the turtles can get along well. They have different personalities that make them clash. If you like to have multiple box turtles but they can’t get along, provide separate enclosures. Juveniles can be housed together as long as they have the same size. Just keep an eye on them as they grow mature.

Things to Consider When Keeping Multiple Box Turtles

Adult female box turtles can get along well. But adult males can be aggressive to each other. It can get worse when they want to breed. Male box turtles will hurt another turtle to compete for the female. Keep the male and female box turtles separated from each other if you’re not breeding them.

The male box turtles can be aggressive with female box turtles. Make sure to provide hiding places for the female if you want them to live together. Consider having some female box turtles for the male if you house them together. For one male box turtle, four female box turtles should help them live peacefully.

Make sure that you can provide enough space for multiple box turtles. Some of them need to escape from other box turtles. It can be stressful for them if they don’t have a place to hide. Having multiple turtles in a small enclosure will have some hygiene issues. Their waste will pile up and can have bacteria which can make the box turtles sick.

Why Box Turtles Should Not Live Together?

Box turtles should not live together for two important reasons. The first one is if they are an American and Asian box turtle. Although they are both box turtles, they have different needs. They might end up having health issues if they live together. Keep each in separate enclosures to avoid this.

The second reason is if one of the box turtles is injured or sick. It should stay in a different enclosure until it’s well. Having a sick box turtle in the same enclosure can make the others sick. If it’s injured, it can end up being hurt more by other aggressive box turtles. It’s best to quarantine the sick or injured pet.

As mentioned earlier, box turtles are solitary creatures. They don’t live in groups even in the wild. It can be stressful for them to live together in one enclosure. Although having multiple box turtles can be entertaining. It might also cause some issues. Doing this is not for beginners but experienced turtle owners or keepers.

Do Musk Turtle Bites Hurt?

When handling a musk turtle, you need to be very careful. These turtles can bite easily because of their long necks. If you mishandled the musk turtle, it can get stressed or injured. If you need to handle a music turtle, make sure to place your fingers on the rear of its carapace. This will avoid getting bitten by these species.

The common musk turtle has a neck that can extend up to its hind feet. Taking it home from the wild means that you have to be more cautious. It can be aggressive when the musk turtle feels unsafe. Wild turtles are not used to human interaction. It will stress them out and become defensive when you try to hold it. Avoid placing your fingers near its mouth.

Turtles can feel the change in their environment. If they are put in captivity in a not familiar habitat, it will stress them. Musk turtles will not think twice about bringing their new owners. It’s their defense mechanism to bite to protect themselves from harm. Even if they cant provide a powerful bite like snapping turtles their bites can still hurt you.

If you get bitten by the musk turtle, remain calm. Wash the bitten area immediately thoroughly and disinfect if it breaks the skin. Like other reptiles, musk turtles also carry Salmonella. It can cause serious conditions in humans. But don’t worry about spreading this bacteria. As long as you wash your hands after handling them, you should be fine.

FAQs

1. Are box turtles good pets?

No, box turtles are not good pets compared to a red-eared slider turtle. In some places, box turtles are illegal. Keeping them as per can get you into trouble. Their long lifespan means they need to have long-term care. Box turtles can live for longer than fifty years.

2. Will a box turtle be a health hazard?

Box turtles can be a health hazard for people. Even if they don’t pose a serious threat, they can infect you with the Salmonella bacteria. Turtles carry this bacteria in general which makes a box turtle an ideal pet. But with proper hygiene, the spread of Salmonella will be minimized. Make sure to always wash your hands after handling the box turtle.

3. Are box turtles nocturnal?

Box turtles sleep at night but will also do this during the day. They are active during the day which is rare for these species. Most pet turtles are nocturnal but the box turtle is not. These species burrow under the rocks or log which protects them while they sleep. They can also extend their head and legs outward.

4. Do box turtles like being petted?

Box turtles preferred not to be touched or petted by humans. They can suffer from the anxiety or stress of having their owners around. It can cause them to bite even if they don’t want to. Just leave it alone and give it some space. Give it time to get used to the new surroundings and habitat as well. Avoid handling them if not necessary.

5. Can you get a box turtle from the wild?

Avoid taking a box turtle from their home especially in the wild. Unless it’s necessary, they should stay there. But if you rescue an injured box turtle, that’s good. Once it’s healthy again, bring them back to the wild on the same spot where you took it. If you want to have a box turtle for a pet, choose the one that has been raised in captivity.

6. Can box turtles swim?

Yes, box turtles can swim even if they are land turtles. In the wild, you can find them swimming. Box turtles may look clumsy in the water. They are not the same as freshwater turtles. Box turtles are not good swimmers since they spend most of their time on land rather than in water.

7. How can you tell how old a box turtle is?

If you want to know how old the box turtle is, there’s a great way to learn about their age. It’s aside from seeing it hatched from their nest before. To know their age, count the rings on the box turtle’s scutes. Scutes are the turtle scales that cover their entire body. But this method can only provide a rough estimate of the turtle’s age.