![]() Other Species that Benefit from Similar Habitat Management Use minimal herbicide and insecticides treatments as they can reduce food plants and insect populations, both major food sources of ornate box turtles. As the species is slow to reach reproductive age and has a high mortality of juveniles, box turtle populations are slow to recover. Be vigilant when driving in suitable habitat and move off paved roads when possible. Management Activities to AvoidĪvoid any loss of prairie habitats for the development of houses and cropland as the habitat becomes unsuitable for ornate box turtles and puts them more at risk of mortality on roads and from farm machinery. In areas with extensive prescribed burning, conduct spring burns prior to March 5 and fall burns after November 15 when possible. Road traffic is a significant cause of mortality, so careful sighting of new roads and watch out for the ornate box turtles when driving ranch roads to avoid crushing individuals. Range map provided by NatureServe Management Activities that Benefit Species – Best Management Practices (BMPs)ĭevelop and maintain grasslands that contain a diversity of native plant species and a mosaic of habitats with open areas intermixed with more dense cover. Populations may be locally depleted by high mortality on roads. Box turtles do not normally occupy dense woodlands, step, rocky, mountain slopes or elevations above 6,900 ft/2,100 m. Box turtles tolerate intensive grazing and t changes to vegetation structure. Box turtles travel to deep sandy soils for hibernation in winter months. Grass cover below 40% with forb cover is preferred for foraging. ![]() Shrub cover between 20-60% is ideal, preferably dominated by sand sagebrush to provide cool areas during summer and hibernation sites in the winter. They are most abundant in grasslands, with scattered brush vegetation and soils suitable for burrowing. Ideal Habitatīox turtles are not dependent on free water, so can occupy a wide range of habitats including pasture, fields, sandhills, prairie, and open woodland. You can determine the approximate age of turtles by counting the number of growth lines on the underside of the shell. Ornate box turtles can live between 30-40 years. Look out for them on roads and be careful not to run them over. After recent rain, ornate box turtles may emerge to find food. Box turtles generally hibernate from late October to mid-April. These turtles spend much of their time in small underground burrows, especially during warm parts of the day. Ornate box turtles are found in open grasslands, sandy plains, agricultural land, glades and gently rolling hills from southern Wisconsin and northern Indiana through the central Great Plains. Box turtles are omnivores, feeding on primarily insects, as well as plants materials (prickly pear pads and fruits), and scavenging on carrion. ![]() Males have red eyes and bright yellow spots on front legs, and females have yellowish-brown eyes. Skin is dark brown to reddish-brown with conspicuous yellow to orange spotting. ![]() The ornate box turtle is a terrestrial turtle, approximately 4-5 in/10-12 cm, with a brownish shell and yellow radiating lines above and below.
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