Ornate Box Turtle
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Box Turtles July 2017
The HERP Project, Herpetology Education in Rural Places and Spaces In Awe of Nature: Treasuring Terrestrial Turtles By Ann Berry Somers, Catherine Matthews, and Lacey Huffling The Herp Project is supported by the National Science Foundation, Grant No. DRL-1114558. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Treasuring Terrestrial Turtles Before starting a project like the one described in this curriculum, contact your state wildlife resources commission or state division of fish and game to see what permits you need to work with box turtles. I. Project Description This curriculum was developed by The HERP (Herpetology Education in Rural Places and Spaces) Project to introduce participants to the wonders of nature and science through the study of box turtles (Terrapene spp.). The curriculum was developed over several years of working with high school students in our Herpetological Research Experience (HRE) residential program. Feel free to modify this curriculum as needed. In our program, participants are introduced to turtle biology as well as to The Box Turtle Connection (BTC), our long-term mark/recapture box turtle study in North Carolina. The BTC is designed to follow temporal trends in population size and structure (sex, age class) as well as the health and condition of individual box turtles from numerous sites across North Carolina. The data collected are important to help scientists determine if box turtles need special conservation measures to maintain their populations and thrive in their natural habitat. Our box turtle studies are enhanced by use of Boykin Spaniel dogs to locate and retrieve box turtles and use of radio tracking to determine activity ranges for male and female box turtles. -
AN INTRODUCTION to Texas Turtles
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE AN INTRODUCTION TO Texas Turtles Mark Klym An Introduction to Texas Turtles Turtle, tortoise or terrapin? Many people get confused by these terms, often using them interchangeably. Texas has a single species of tortoise, the Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlanderi) and a single species of terrapin, the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). All of the remaining 28 species of the order Testudines found in Texas are called “turtles,” although some like the box turtles (Terrapene spp.) are highly terrestrial others are found only in marine (saltwater) settings. In some countries such as Great Britain or Australia, these terms are very specific and relate to the habit or habitat of the animal; in North America they are denoted using these definitions. Turtle: an aquatic or semi-aquatic animal with webbed feet. Tortoise: a terrestrial animal with clubbed feet, domed shell and generally inhabiting warmer regions. Whatever we call them, these animals are a unique tie to a period of earth’s history all but lost in the living world. Turtles are some of the oldest reptilian species on the earth, virtually unchanged in 200 million years or more! These slow-moving, tooth less, egg-laying creatures date back to the dinosaurs and still retain traits they used An Introduction to Texas Turtles | 1 to survive then. Although many turtles spend most of their lives in water, they are air-breathing animals and must come to the surface to breathe. If they spend all this time in water, why do we see them on logs, rocks and the shoreline so often? Unlike birds and mammals, turtles are ectothermic, or cold- blooded, meaning they rely on the temperature around them to regulate their body temperature. -
In AR, FL, GA, IA, KY, LA, MO, OH, OK, SC, TN, and TX): Species in Red = Depleted to the Point They May Warrant Federal Endangered Species Act Listing
Southern and Midwestern Turtle Species Affected by Commercial Harvest (in AR, FL, GA, IA, KY, LA, MO, OH, OK, SC, TN, and TX): species in red = depleted to the point they may warrant federal Endangered Species Act listing Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) – AR, GA, IA, KY, MO, OH, OK, SC, TX Florida common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina osceola) - FL Southern painted turtle (Chrysemys dorsalis) – AR Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) – IA, MO, OH, OK Spotted turtle (Clemmys gutatta) - FL, GA, OH Florida chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia chrysea) – FL Western chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) – AR, FL, GA, KY, MO, OK, TN, TX Barbour’s map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) - FL, GA Cagle’s map turtle (Graptemys caglei) - TX Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti) – FL Common map turtle (Graptemys geographica) – AR, GA, OH, OK Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis) – AR, GA, OH, OK, TX Sabine map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis sabinensis) – TX False map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) – MO, OK, TX Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys pseuogeographica kohnii) – AR, TX Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra) – GA Texas map turtle (Graptemys versa) - TX Striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii) – FL, GA, SC Yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) – OK, TX Common mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) – AR, FL, GA, OK, TX Alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) – AR, FL, GA, LA, MO, TX Diamond-back terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) – FL, GA, LA, SC, TX River cooter (Pseudemys concinna) – AR, FL, -
Habitat Alteration and Survival Rates of the Ornate Box Turtle Sarah M
Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Publications 11-2016 Habitat alteration and survival rates of the ornate box turtle Sarah M. Mitchell Iowa State University Brooke L. Bodensteiner Iowa State University Jeramie T. Strickland U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service James K. Quick North Carolina A & T State University Fredric J. Janzen Iowa State University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/eeob_ag_pubs Part of the Animal Sciences Commons, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons The ompc lete bibliographic information for this item can be found at https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ eeob_ag_pubs/275. For information on how to cite this item, please visit http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ howtocite.html. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Publications by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Habitat alteration and survival rates of the ornate box turtle Abstract Habitat destruction and modification may be the most prominent anthropogenic forces affecting extant biological systems. Growing evidence suggests that turtles are especially vulnerable to many anthropogenic stressors. We evaluated the effects of habitat modification on survival rates of the threatened ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata) in northwest Illinois, USA, using a 20‐year mark‐recapture dataset. Longstanding development (i.e., cottages, outbuildings, landscape management) reduced the apparent survival of the ornate box turtle, especially among females. -
Box Turtle Care Compiled by Dayna Willems, DVM
Box Turtle Care Compiled by Dayna Willems, DVM Brief Description There are several species of box turtle native to North America (ornate box turtles in Colorado) but their wild populations are declining rapidly due to habitat loss, being hit by cars on roads, and from collection for the pet trade. Unfortunately once taken from the wild box turtles can have trouble adapting to captivity, however unless they can be released in the location they were found they will wander aimlessly searching for their lost territory for months often into roads or neighborhoods. The box turtle is known for being able to completely withdraw its body into its protective shell and a hinge on the bottom part of the shell allows it to close completely like a box. The shell is living tissue and should never be pierced or painted. Three-toed Box Turtle Lifespan With good care the expected lifespan is 60-80 years on average. Sexing Once mature male box turtles will usually have red eyes and females will have brown eyes in most cases, however not always. Males will have an indent on their plastron (belly of the shell) and a longer, more pointed tail with a longer distance between vent and tail tip than the stubby tail of females where the vent is closer to the shell. Ornate Box Turtle Caging Box turtles need large enclosures and when able should be housed outdoors in a protected outdoor pen. Box turtles are great climbers so the pen will need to be secure to keep turtles in and predators (especially dogs) out. -
A Field Guide to South Dakota Turtles
A Field Guide to SOUTH DAKOTA TURTLES EC919 South Dakota State University | Cooperative Extension Service | USDA U.S. Geological Survey | South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks This publication may be cited as: Bandas, Sarah J., and Kenneth F. Higgins. 2004. Field Guide to South Dakota Turtles. SDCES EC 919. Brookings: South Dakota State University. Copies may be obtained from: Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences South Dakota State University Box 2140B, NPBL Brookings SD 57007-1696 South Dakota Dept of Game, Fish & Parks 523 E. Capitol, Foss Bldg Pierre SD 57501 SDSU Bulletin Room ACC Box 2231 Brookings, SD 57007 (605) 688–4187 A Field Guide to SOUTH DAKOTA TURTLES EC919 South Dakota State University | Cooperative Extension Service | USDA U.S. Geological Survey | South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks Sarah J. Bandas Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences South Dakota State University NPB Box 2140B Brookings, SD 57007 Kenneth F. Higgins U.S. Geological Survey South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit South Dakota State University NPB Box 2140B Brookings, SD 57007 Contents 2 Introduction . .3 Status of South Dakota turtles . .3 Fossil record and evolution . .4 General turtle information . .4 Taxonomy of South Dakota turtles . .9 Capturing techniques . .10 Turtle handling . .10 Turtle habitats . .13 Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) . .15 Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) . .17 Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) . .19 Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica) . .23 False Map Turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) . .25 Western Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata) . -
Final Report: JFSP Project Number 14-3-01-30
Project Title: Fire Effects on a Special Concern Species, the Eastern Box Turtle Final Report: JFSP Project Number 14-3-01-30 Principal Investigator: Dr. Gary J. Roloff, Associate Professor, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, Room 13 Natural Resources Building, 480 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824; Email: [email protected] Student Investigator: Ms. Tracy A. Swem, Graduate Research Assistant, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, Room 13 Natural Resources Building, 480 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824; Email: [email protected] This research was supported in part by the Joint Fire Science Program. For more information go to www.firescience. I. Abstract Throughout North America, tension often exists between advocates of prescribed fire as an ecosystem restoration tool and herpetologists, primarily because fire effects on rare reptile and amphibian species are poorly understood. Research is needed that informs the implementation of prescribed fire programs in a manner that achieves the burn objectives (e.g., restoration, invasive species control, fuels management) while mitigating potentially negative fire effects on rare animals. The eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina, is experiencing population declines across much of its range; in Michigan, box turtles are listed as a species of special concern. We found that hatchling eastern box turtles emerged from nest cavities in both fall and the following spring, and tended to remain in the grassland habitats often associated with nest sites. We documented direct mortality on a single hatchling from a prescribed fire through grassland habitat. -
Caring for Box Turtles
Caring for Box Turtles Hilary Stern, DVM Animal Hospital of Soquel 2651 Soquel Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062 NATURAL HISTORY There are four North American species of box turtles currently available in the pet trade: the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), the three-toed box turtle (T. c. triunguis), the Gulf Coast box turtle (T. c. major) and the ornate box turtle (T. c. ornata). All captive box turtles, unless specifically documented to the contrary, have been caught in the wild. Box turtles are partially aquatic, spending the greater part of their time on dry land within easy range of shallow fresh water. American box turtles are native to the eastern, central, and southwestern United States and on into the northern parts of Mexico. Box turtles forage for food on land, and spend much of their sleep time dug into burrows or wedged under fallen trees or rocks. They do, however, require plenty of fresh shallow water. While this water is generally used for rehydration and voiding body wastes, some turtles also eat aquatic plants and insects. Box turtles are fully grown when they reach 6 to 8 inches in length. Males have thicker and longer tails than do females, and may be more colorful. Depending upon their environment and diet, box turtles will reach full size within 4-6 years, and reach sexual maturity at 4-7 years. If maintained at appropriate temperatures and fed a healthy varied diet, your turtle will probably outlive you. Some individual box turtles have lived more than 100 years. As with all wild-caught reptiles, the box turtles found in pet stores have been under stress for some time. -
Heinrich and Walsh (2019)
THE BIG TURTLE YEAR LOOKING FOR WILD TURTLES IN WILD PLACES By George L. Heinrich and Timothy J. Walsh e like looking for wild turtles in wild We both liked turtles as kids, but now, many places. From the time George was in years later, we understand the important ecological Welementary school catching Wood roles they play. Some turtle species serve as indica- Turtles in southwestern Connecticut and Tim tors of environmental health, while others are clas- found his first pebble-sized Striped Mud Turtle sified as keystone species (those that play a vital at age 10 in a south Florida stream, we have both ecological role in a given habitat), umbrella spe- marveled at being in nature and searching for these cies (those whose conservation benefits the larger fascinating reptiles. As children, little did we know ecological community), or flagship species (iconic that our time spent exploring our neighborhood symbols of habitat conservation efforts). Perhaps woods would lead to rewarding careers in wildlife one of the best examples of the ecological signifi- conservation. Now we are both officers with the cance of turtles is the Gopher Tortoise, an imper- Florida Turtle Conservation Trust, an organization iled species that occurs in a six-state range within working to conserve Florida’s rich turtle diversity. the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States. In 2017 we created the opportunity of a Appropriately, the Gopher Tortoise was the first lifetime with the Trust’s conservation education species we found on day one of The Big Turtle Year. initiative: The Big Turtle Year, an ambitious plan to travel across the United States and back again SoutheaSt Regional highlightS trying to find as many species as we could. -
Endangered Species Day Celebrate Endangered Species Day at Omaha’S Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium®
Endangered Species Day Celebrate Endangered Species Day at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium®. Take yourself on a self-guided tour through the Zoo to learn about these amazing animals! African Grasslands Expedition Madagascar Lied Jungle® Suzanne and Walter Scott Okapi Madagascar teal Northern white cheeked Aquarium Giraffe Radiated tortoise gibbon Loggerhead turtle Cheetah Fossa Greater slow loris Southern giant clam Plains zebra Aye aye Cotton headed tamarin Southern rockhopper Bongo African straw colored fruit bat Bairds tapir penguin African lion Collared brown lemur Malayan tapir Atlantic puffin African elephant Crowned lemur Fancois langur Giant grouper Mongoose lemur Painted terrapin Red grouper Butterfly and Insect Malagasy giant jumping rat Soa soa water lizard Coral cat shark Pavilion Ring tailed lemur Home hinge back turtle Cactus coral Madagascar crested ibis Malaysian giant turtle Red knee tarantula Black grouper Parkers golden frog Yellow spotted river turtle Salt creek tiger beetle Zebra shark Green golden frog Pig nosed turtle White cockatoo Atlantic green sea turtle Standings day gecko African softshell turtle Crested partridge Goliath grouper Marbles rain frog Panamanian golden frog Horseshoe crab Cat Complex Golden matella Giant thai catfish Black botched stingray Amur tiger Clown knife fish Staghorn coral Black handed spider monkey Garden of the Senses Aruli barb Red panda (animals on display are weather Golden dragon fish dependent) Komodo dragon Yellow headed amazon Animals Off Display: Mutual of Omaha’s Wild -
Ornate Box Turtle Terrapene Ornata ILLINOIS RANGE Adult
ornate box turtle Terrapene ornata Kingdom: Animalia FEATURES Phylum: Chordata The ornate box turtle averages four to five inches in Class: Reptilia length. It has a high, domelike carapace (upper Order: Testudines shell). The hinged plastron (lower shell) allows the animal to completely enclose itself in the shell. The Family: Emydidae shell is dark with markings on the carapace and ILLINOIS STATUS plastron. Light lines radiate downward on each side of the carapace. threatened, native © Scott Ballard BEHAVIORS The ornate box turtle lives in sand prairies in the northern part of Illinois and prairies in the southern part of the state. It is terrestrial. This reptile feeds early in the morning and again late in the day. It burrows in the ground to escape heat in summer and cold and lack of food in winter. It may also find shelter in grasses or in the burrows of other animals. This turtle may live for 30 years. Mating may occur in the spring or fall. The female deposits four to six eggs in a nest in soil during June or July, often at the edge of a woodland. She may lay more than one clutch per year. Hatching occurs by September. The ornate box turtle eats insects, snails, earthworms, adult tadpoles, dead animals, bird eggs and berries and other plant materials. ILLINOIS RANGE © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2020. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. © Mary Kay Rubey © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2020. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. -
Chelonian Advisory Group Regional Collection Plan 4Th Edition December 2015
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Chelonian Advisory Group Regional Collection Plan 4th Edition December 2015 Editor Chelonian TAG Steering Committee 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Mission ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Steering Committee Structure ........................................................................................................... 3 Officers, Steering Committee Members, and Advisors ..................................................................... 4 Taxonomic Scope ............................................................................................................................. 6 Space Analysis Space .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Survey ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Current and Potential Holding Table Results ............................................................................. 8 Species Selection Process Process ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Decision Tree ........................................................................................................................... 13 Decision Tree Results .............................................................................................................