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Getting to Know Eastern Box Turtles

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  • August 2019
  • Getting to Know Eastern Box Turtles

Getting to Know Eastern Box Turtles

  • ​Posted August 23, 2019

By Andy Avram, Interpretive Manager

All frightened turtles will withdraw into their shells, but in Ohio only the Eastern box turtle can pull the bottom part of the shell (plastron) tight against the top part of the shell (carapace). A hinge on the plastron allows them to do this, locking up all the soft body parts into a “box,” thus giving the turtle its name.

These turtles are adorned with yellow or orange markings and some individuals can be quite striking. However, these markings help the turtle to blend into the forest floor while they prowl their woodland habitats. They eat a variety of foods including fruits, plants, mushrooms, insects, worms and even carrion. Their foraging is done on land, but while these turtles do enjoy a nice soak in a stream or puddle, they do not willingly enter water deep enough to swim.

The combination of being slow and land dwelling has resulted in Eastern box turtles being listed as an Ohio Species of Concern. They commonly get hit by cars while crossing roads or are collected by people who take them home as pets. If you find a turtle take a picture, help it cross the road by putting it directly on the side of the road it was trying to get to, and let it go on its merry way.

Adam

LAKE METROPARKS' ANIMAL AMBASSADORS Adam, Higgins & Terra

Adam came to Lake Metroparks in 1993. His bright red eyes and concave plastron identify him as a male. The plastron is concave, so it can fit over the female’s carapace when mating. He is a rather outgoing turtle, actively chasing people or female turtles around when given the opportunity.

Terra and Higgins are affectionately called “The Ladies” and are our female turtles. They can be identified as females by their brown eyes and flat or rounded-out plastron (which allows eggs room to grow). Higgins came to us in 2009 from the Boonshoft Museum in Dayton. Terra, who is missing a front leg, was admitted to the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center in 2011. Terra and Higgins are a little more reserved than Adam, but are still excellent animal ambassadors.

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