LAND TURTLES Land turtles include all American box turtles, Asian Box Turtles and Tortoises. Box turtles are poor swimmers and rarely enter water more than an inch deep. Box turtles make good pets, are docile, and readily tame. They are omnivores. Life spans of twenty years are not unusual. Tortoises have a potential life span of fifty to one hundred years. They are strictly land animals and do not swim. They only eat plant material. CAPTIVITY REQUIREMENTS -A minimum size enclosure for any box turtle or tortoise would be a twenty gallon tank. More room is always better. Some people build large plywood enclosures. Ideal temperature is between 75 and 85 degrees F. Provide the correct kind of light. The tortoises like to get in their water bowl to soak, therefore it should be large enough for them to do so, but shallow enough for them to easily get in and out. Make sure they can not tip their water bowl over. Change the water every day and wash the bowl frequently. Artificial tuff is ideal for the floor of their home. Have two pieces, so you have a spare while one being cleaned. Clean the turf pieces frequently. - Commercial box turtle and tortoise foods are available and provide balanced diets. You can also offer vegetables, rabbit pellets and timothy hay. Reptile vitamin and calcium supplements should be given with their food. - For more information, ask your dealer about books available on land turtles and their care. CAUTION TURTLES AND OTHER PETS MAY CARRY AND TRANSMIT GERMS (INCLUDING SALMONELLA) TO HUMANS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING PETS OR COMING IN CONTACT WITH THEIR WATER, FOOD, OR OTHER HOUSING MATERIAL. DO NOT ALLOW PET WATER, FOOD, OR OTHER HOUSING MATERIAL TO COME IN CONTACT WITH YOUR FOOD OR AREAS WHERE FOOD IS PREPARED. PROVIDE YOUR TURTLE WITH A CLEAN HOME, A SUITABLE DIET, AND OTHER PROPER CARE. IF YOU OR ANY MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY ARE PRONE TO, OR HAS SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS, OR INCLUDES INFANTS OR TODDLERS, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT YOU CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE PURCHASE.