Box turtles Box turtles spend the most of their lives on land, and keeping them as pets can be a bit of a challenge. They require a commitment over a long period of time because they can live for several decades, and it might be challenging to provide the appropriate environment for them. There are many different species of box turtles, and each one has slightly different requirements for its habitat and diet. Some like enclosures that are more humid than others, while some require higher temperatures, while others enjoy basking in the sun, and one kind even favors brackish water (which is slightly saltier than fresh water) to fresh water.