The Malayan Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis) is aquatic, meaning it lives in water. It can grow to about 8 inches (20 cm) and can live up to 35 years. The Malayan Box Turtle also called the South East Asia box turtle is found in many Asian countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and at one time even Singapore.
It is sought after as food, folk medicine and kept as pets. Their shell colours range from black brown to olive with three yellow stripes on the side of their heads.
Housing: A large aquarium or a plastic aquarium tub is ideal. The height of the water should not be deeper than the length of its shell. Although they live in water, they are poor swimmers. This is why your water depth should be low enough for them to stand and breathe air. Like an aquarium set up, filtration is absolutely necessary. Internal filters or outside canister filters should be used. Even if the water depth is just 5 cm, there are special filters that can be used including the Eheim mini Flat, an internal filter that needs only a water depth of 4 cm to operate.
Lighting: A dry basking or resting area must be provided which can be created from stones or you can buy a ready made one from the pet shops. They are called Reptile land (from Dymax) or Turtle Bank (from Exo-Terra). If you are keeping the turtles in-doors, a basking spot of about 30-32 degrees C should be provided. Clip-on lamps are available from pet shops. A full spectrum flourescent light is also needed to provide the necessary UVB source for vitamin D3 synthesis needed in calcium metabolism.
Environment: Since they come from the tropics, the required water temperature is between 25 and 28 degrees C with humidity between 75 and 90 per cent, same as the climate in Singapore.
Diet: The Malayan Box Turtle is omnivorous meaning it can eat meat, fruits and vegetables – from lettuce to live fishes. Commercial turtle pellets are also well accepted. Food like lettuce, carrots or apples should be peppered with calcium powder with vitamin D3 as the supplement. Feeding can be done once in two days or lightly daily. They can also eat crickets and earthworms.
Remember: They can live up to 35 years and can grow to over 20 cm. More related information is available from the Internet. ©2013 Petmart Pte Ltd.
