Ornate Box Turtle
The ornate box turtle is Colorado's only terrestrial turtle.
About This Species
While the ornate box turtle superficially resembles a tortoise, it is a member of the pond turtle family. They earned the name "ornate" due to the bright colorations on their shell, front legs, and head. Their bottom shells are hinged, which allows their limbs and head to recede into their shell. They are primarily terrestrial but can be found soaking in shallow water.
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Hard upper shell, domed, dark with yellow streaks or spots; lower shell transversely hinged in adults, allowing the shell to be tightly closed; upper shell up to six inches long.
Mature male
Innermost toe of hind foot thick and turned inward; iris and spots on forelimbs usually reddish; rear portion of lower shell slightly concave; vent located beyond rear edge of upper shell when tail is extended.
Mature female
Toe not turned inward; iris yellowish or brownish; spots on front legs yellowish; rear part of lower shell not concave; vent at or inside rear edge of upper shell.
Juvenile
Upper shell with yellowish dots and a prominent stripe along the middle; hinge on lower shell not functional for the first few years of life.
Hatchling
Upper shell round, average length generally around one inch, with yellow spots and a yellow stripe along the middle; lower shell yellowish or cream, with large dark blotch in middle.
Range
Eastern Colorado. Common in favorable habitat. Often picked up by people and released in areas outside the natural range, which usually results in the turtle’s death.
Habitat
Prairie grassland and sandhills. Land dwelling, but sometimes soaks in pools.
Reproduction
Nests in soft, well-drained soil, mostly May-July. Hatchlings may emerge in August or September, or they overwinter in the nest and emerge the following spring. Under natural conditions, some individuals live 30 years or more.
Threats to Species
- Pet trade
- Development
- Vehicle Conflicts