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Meet the Ornate Box Turtle
Meet
the Ornate Box Turtle
The ornate, or western, box turtle (Terrapene
ornata ornata) is a land-dwelling turtle found
from throughout the central United States from the front range of the
Rocky Mountains east to the Mississippi River Valley and north from South
Dakota to the Gulf of Mexico. Adults are medium-sized turtles, not exceeding
6 inches in length. As with most species of land-dwelling turtle, they
are relatively slow-moving. Their bright coloration earned them the common
name "ornate" -- their top shell, or carapace, contains cream
or yellow lines radiating in a sunburst pattern on each of their scutes.
Individual patterns may vary greatly from individual to individual.
Males often have bright orange or red speckles on their front legs and
bright yellow or green heads.
These
turtles are omnivores, eating a wide range of plants, invertebrates, and
even carrion. One of their favorite foods is the dung beetle -- they will
often rummage through cow manure searching for these tasty treats! Box
turtles may hibernate for over six months of the year in protection from
the cold of winter. They do this by burrowing underground, often several
feet deep, below the frost line. In spring they emerge, ready to find
food, and mate. Box turtles may take up to ten years to mature. Females
lay a clutch of 1-4 eggs no more than once a year. Since they are slow
to mature and reproduce slowly, the loss of even a few adult box turtles
from a population can severely limit the chances of long-term survival.
Collection for the pet trade, road mortality, and habitat loss are the
three major contributors to population declines in recent years. All three
of these causes can be mitigated
Population studies of the ornate box turtle have been conducted in Kansas,
Wisconsin, and New Mexico. Research shows that these turtles inhabit a
wide range of habitat and their behavior, size, hibernation, diet, and
land use vary greatly in different regions. The Colorado Box Turtle
Project will add to this body of knowledge by conducting the first
long-term population studies here in Colorado.
CoBTP's work would remain incomplete, however, if we failed to cultivate the concern and support of YOU to preserve and nurture the many forms of life that share the planet with us.
If you are interested in partnering with CoBTP, please consider making a financial contribution in any amount to our efforts. Your gift could make an enormous difference! Your tax-deductible donation could, for example:
- Support
a wild Colorado Box Turtle Project animal in the field ($250) annually
- Support
a specific Colorado Box Turtle Project research program, named by the
sponsor if desired ($5,000 to $10,000).
- Support
a specific student research internship, named by the sponsor if desired
($2,000 to $3,000 annually).
- Support
an entire Colorado Box Turtle Project research season, named by the
sponsor if desired ($50,000 or more). Incremental payments are acceptable.
- Support the Colorado Box Turtle Project and the 10+ year duration of its research ($500,000). Incremental payments are acceptable.
Your gift can be made online by clicking below: Feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss further your interest in supporting this conservation research program at boxturtleproject@corhs.org.
Colorado
Reptile Humane Society is licensed by the State of Colorado, Pet Animal
Care Facilities Act, as an animal shelter.
Colorado Reptile Humane Society is a federal 501(c)(3)non-profit organization.
Copyright 2011 by Colorado Reptile Humane Society.
