Box turtles should be in a primarily terrestrial environment with access to clean bridge-deep water for soaking and drinking. A basking area and full spectrum lighting must be available as for the aquatic turtles. Proper foods include worms, snails, slugs, small amounts of prepared foods, fresh vegetables and fruits. Tortoises must be in a terrestrial environment with a shallow dish of clean water for drinking. Heat and full spectrum lighting must be provided as for turtles.
Proper foods are fresh vegetables and fruits.
All turtles and tortoises should be provided with true full spectrum lighting. Heating should be provided which approximates the individual species' optimum gradient. Optimum gradients include the daily temperature gradients, with nightly temperature drops not below the lowest optimum for the species. In addition, suitable basking areas must be provided. Temperatures which are consistently too high are also harmful.