Box turtle a very popular pet among reptile enthusiasts so that is why you should know what is best for them. You need to get the best for the box turtle so you need to know what is right for them and what is not. The tank of the box turtle in which they live should be quite similar to their natural surroundings and that is why lots of plants are kept inside the captivity so that they can get that natural feel like they are in the wild which will make them comfortable inside their captivity.
So in this article, we will discuss the best plants that we should keep in the habitat of the box turtle so that they live a happy and comfortable life and also so that these plants do not harm the box turtle in any way. You need to be very careful when you are choosing plants for the habitat of the box turtle.
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The 5 Best Plants for Box Turtle Habitat
The best 5 plants for the habitat of the box turtle that is beneficial for them and also do not harm them in any way. The best plants that you choose for the habitat of the box turtle should be carefully chosen and examined so that you are able to get the ones that are most beneficial for your box turtle and the list of those best 5 plants are as follows:
1. Blooming Bromeliad:
The blooming bromeliad is considered to be one of the best indoor plant for the box turtle because it is a beautiful flower as it leads to adding colours to the terrarium of the box turtle. As we know that this blooming bromeliad adds colour to the terrarium of the box turtle and also makes the environment more amazing and excited for the box turtle because otherwise it will appear boring and they will not be as excited as they would feel while looking at the beautiful colours of the blooming bromeliad.
You can easily grow these plants inside the terrarium of the box turtle and also they are easy to maintain and do not need much care. The blooming bromeliad have beautiful flowers that do not need much care from the owners and also if you do not have much time you can still raise this plant for the box turtle. That is why it is considered one of the best plant for the terrarium of the box turtle.
Pros:
- Beautiful and colorful
- Can easily adapt to the environment
- Non- toxic
- Low maintenance
- Fast growth
Cons:
- Not recommended for small spaces.
- Need fertilizers to stay longer.
2. Golden Pothos:
The golden pothos also known as the Devil’s Ivy is considered one of the best plant for the terrarium of the box turtle because they are easy to grow and difficult to kill. The golden pothos provides amazing foliage for the box turtle habitat and most importantly it is non- toxic in nature and which is what makes it a safe and the best plant for the terrarium of the box turtle. You do not need to care much about the golden pothos because it grows at a fast pace and also can grow easily.
Their hanging veins grows on every part of the terrarium of the box turtle so you need to do proper pruning of the plant so that you can regulate the plant. The golden pothos adds greenery to the environment of the box turtle. You need to add fertilizers for their longer life span, otherwise they grow themselves without needing any attention and even the greenery that it adds to the habitat of the box turtle makes it appear beautiful and also similar to its natural habitat.
Pros:
- Safe for box turtle
- Beautiful plant
- Provides foliage to the habitat
- Fast growing plant
- Do not need much maintenance
Cons:
- Can grow at room temperature
3. Hibiscus:
The hibiscus plant is an elegant plant and also considered as the top choice plant for the box turtle because it is beautiful and colour and has amazing flowers. The hibiscus is available in different colour shades like red, yellow, purple, etc. orange which adds bright colour to the environment of the box turtle.
The box turtle feels excited when they look at the beautiful flower of the hibiscus because they are eye appealing and soothing to them. The hibiscus plant is a non- toxic plant which means that it is completely safe for the box turtle and also it does not need much care and maintenance. One thing that this hibiscus plant needs the most is lots of sunlight, they will die if they do not get appropriate amount of sunlight. The hibiscus is a decorative plant and that is why the best plant for the habitat of the box turtle.
Pros:
- Easy to maintain
- Safe and non- toxic
- Colourful and beautiful flowers
- Decorative plant
- Pleasant to the eyes
Cons:
- Can die without proper sunlight
- As they grow fast regular trimming is a must
4. Weeping Fig:
The weeping fig is the best and the most common plant used for the habitat of the box turtle. They need the sun to grow so the tank of the box turtle needs to be placed where there is sunlight. But do remember they do not like too hot temperature, otherwise, they will start shedding their leaves. They are beautiful and hardy plants and are also non-toxic in nature. But they are quite sensitive. These plants are also ideal to give a jungle-type setting inside the cage of the box turtle.
The weeping fig has lots of benefits and they are tall plants which mean we need a large enclosure for the box turtle in order to accommodate these plants. This plant is a great choice for the box turtle but they need a bit of extra care but that care is worth doing as the benefit of these plants is many for the box turtle in order to stay healthy.
Pros:
- Non- toxic
- Cleans the air and odor inside the tank
- Maintains the humidity in the tank
- Gives jungle-like appearance
Cons:
- The plant needs sunlight in order to grow properly
- Not good for the dark and dull places.
- The plants are quite sensitive
- Can shed leaves if proper care is not taken.
5. Yucca:
The yucca is an amazing plant due to its looks and also it is one of the best plants for the habitat of the box turtle. It has thick trunks like a tree and is preferred a lot for the tanks of the box turtle and they are quite sturdy and strong plants. These plants are also used for cleaning of the air and that is why it is preferred for the box turtle’s habitat.
This is also a non-toxic plant and there will be no issue if the box turtle will feed on it. You need excellent drainage for planting the yucca in the pot and this makes it a plant that needs care. You need to observe the plant carefully and check whether the plant is fresh or not and take the appropriate action. But yucca is a good option for the box turtle and also a healthy one.
Pros:
- Good for cleaning the air inside the tank
- Non- toxic
- Strong plant
Cons:
- The yucca plant need care and attention
- Needs the proper drainage system to grow properly
These are the best 5 plants that you can keep inside the terrarium of the box turtle that will help in keeping the environment clean and healthy for the box turtle and also these plants are safe for them. The box turtle need plants in the habitat so that it can give them the comfort and the feeling that they are living in their natural environment and this also gives them a sense of security and belongingness. You need to choose carefully which plant you should get for the terrarium of the box turtle because many plants can be toxic for them and that can cause harm to them. There are also plants that can be fatal for their life and you can lose your box turtle just because of your carelessness.
Conclusion:
The box turtle is an amazing animal but needs lots of love and care from your side so that they can live a healthy and satisfying life inside the captivity and do not face any sort of issue while staying in the tank. We need to provide a comfortable environment for them so that they can survive for a longer time span. The box turtle are sensitive animals and they need proper care and attention and giving them the best of everything is very important.
Also, you need to spend time with your box turtle so that you know what is needed by them and what is important for them. As one wrong decision can prove to be risky for the life of the box turtle. Try to build a bond with them and this will help in improving the understanding between both of you and you will enjoy each other’s company and will no create any problem for one another.
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