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Ornate Box TurtleWestern Box Turtle

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Terrapene ornata ornataPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

     The western box turtle or Ornate Box Turtle is perhaps one of the most commonly available of all the box turtles!

     There are two species of box turtles found in the united states, the eastern box turtle species T. carolina, and the western box turtle species T. ornata. The western box turtles are comprised of two subspecies, this turtle the Ornate Box Turtle T. o. ornata and its more arid dwelling counter part the Desert Box Turtle T. o. luteola. Both of the western box turtles are more difficult to acclimate than their eastern relatives.

     The Ornate Box Turtle is quite colorful. At first glance it looks similar to the Florida Box Turtle due to the color patterning of its shell. However the carapace of the Ornate Box Turtle, though domed, is flattened on top and the radiating yellow lines are often thicker and not as cleanly defined. It also has spots on the sides of its head rather than the two distinct yellow lines of the Florida Box Turtle.

     These wonderful animals are fairly small, quiet, and don't bite. They may seem like a desirable pet, however there are a few things to keep in mind before acquiring one. Both of the shy western box turtles are more difficult to acclimate and establish in captivity than any of their eastern cousins. They are sensitive to their captive environment and can take time to become comfortable. All box turtles are solitary creatures and do not need companions. They need to be protected from other household pets, such as a dog. And lastly, they are fun to watch but they do not enjoy being handled.

For more Information see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Box Turtle

Distribution:      The Ornate Box Turtle Terrapene ornata ornata was described by Agassiz in 1857. They are found from Indiana and South Dakota to the lower Rio Grande valley, inhabiting plains and prairies in areas of scrub and low brush thickets.
     There are two subspecies of western box turtles in the genus Terrapene ornata. The other is the Desert Box Turtle T. o. luteola found in New Mexico and western Texas south into Mexico. These turtles have a lighter background color and lighter radiating lines on the carapace than the Ornate. Older species often fade into a more solid tan or horn color. Although they are still common in many areas, the number of western box turtles has drastically declined.

Status      This turtle is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: LR - lower risk,.
and listed on CITES: Appendix II, as well as being listed on Wisconsin's Endangered and Threatened Species List in l972.

Description:      Box turtles have a highly domed carapace (upper shell) and a hinged plastron (bottom shell) that can be completely shut to keep out predators. These characteristics contribute to this turtle's descriptive name, 'box turtle'.
     The Ornate Box Turtle is more brightly colored than Desert Box Turtle, and somewhat similar in appearance to the Florida Box Turtle.The brown carapace of the Ornate is domed but flattened on top, and the radiating yellow lines are often thicker and not as cleanly defined as its Florida cousin. Its skin is dark gray with yellowish or white spots rather than lines on the side of the head.
     Males eyes are usually bright red or orange and they have a slightly concave plastron (bottom shell). Males also have a somewhat thicker and longer tail than females, and the innermost toes on their hind feet are enlarged and angled differently than the other toes. Sometimes a mature male will have a greenish head. The females eyes are usually dark red or brown and their plastron is flat.

Care and Feeding:      Western box turtles are omnivores and feed on a huge variety of food in the wild. In captivity, they are especially fond of live food such as earthworms, superworms, redworms, wax worms, crickets, pink mice, and even goldfish.
     In addition to this large variety of live foods, you can offer chopped fruits and vegetables. Finely grated dark green veggies such as lettuces and kale, and fruits such as melons, berries, cantaloupe, are also accepted (though not eagerly) once or twice a week.
     They will eat MAZURI ® Tortoise Diet and high-quality canned cat food (beef, chicken, turkey, etc.), but this should only be a small part of their overall diet. Many keepers choose not to feed cat food as it is high in fat and protein which can lead to obesity and shell deformities.
    It is important that these turtles always have access to clean water. A plastic paint tray, large plant saucer, or shallow cat litter pan is placed inside to create a water area. (The plastic paint tray is sloped and so provides a grade that even the smaller turtles can use to get out of the water.) The water in the tray or tub will need to be changed often as the box turtles will soak and defecate in it regularly.

Environment:
Indoors:
     Indoors, these more arid-dwelling western box turtles can be set up in large tubs (48" w x 84" l x 24" deep). Substrate consists of a mixture of  ¾ dampened river or play sand and  ¼ peat moss, but first add about 10" of pea gravel to the bottom to pea gravel to the bottom to allow drainage during spring "rains". A cat litter pan, paint tray, or plant saucer placed inside creates a water area. Add a shelter in the form of a large piece of slate resting solidly on a stack of bricks. Spray water under this shelter once a week to keep this area humid.
     A shop light fixture with UVB-emitting bulbs is set up overhead. Add heat via a clamp lamp fixture with a 100-watt T-Rex Active UVHeat ® bulb. Maintain the hot spot below this lamp at 90 º to 95 º F (32 º to 35 º C) throughout the spring and summer months. These box turtles will hibernate at a moderate temperature 50 º F (10 º C) for 30-45 days.

Outdoors:
     These active and personable turtles do very well in outdoor enclosures. An ideal setup that will work year round involves providing an enclosed (fenced-in type) habitat. Stacking two rows of railroad ties or landscape timbers can form the outside barrier. For these arid box turtles, sink a 10" strip of metal flashing at the base of each railroad tie because they are active diggers. Place the habitat in a more sunny location, add lots of slate and some plants, and start one or two shallow burrows for the turtles to enlarge into a more permanent residence. There also needs to be a small patch of soft ground, prepared by digging the soil up and adding some sand, peat moss, and leaf compost.
     Even these desert-dwelling species have a microhabitat such as abandoned animal burrows, large piles of fallen cacti, etc. that is quite humid. Plants such as succulents and cacti can be added. Spineless Opuntia cacti make especially good additions for cover and to provide some extra browse. As these plants survive fairly well during cold months, they can provide good cover and some food throughout the year. These burrows will provide the necessary humid shelters for these turtles.
     For more details on providing an outdoor enclosure for your box turtle, see: Guide to a Happy, Healthy Box Turtle: Outdoor housing.

Handling:      As with all turtles, we suggest that keepers keep handling to a minimum. They can be handled when their enclosures are cleaned or when they are moved from indoor enclosures to outdoor enclosures, but they are definitely not hands-on pets. We do suggest, however, that you give them a once-a-month to check for any signs of health-related problems.

Breeding:      Once established in a secure and healthy environment, wastern box turtles are typically very good breeders. They can be prolific and can produce multiple clutches of viable eggs each breeding season.
     Hibernation is the trigger for mating in most species of box turtles. Most temperate species (T. carolina subspecies, some T. ornata) will require a period of hibernation in the 50 ° to 60 ° F (10 ° to 16 °C) range. Most box turtle breeders cool the adults of these species for as few as 30 days to as much as 90 days during the cooler months. Rain, both natural and man-made, is an important trigger for courtship and breeding.
     Females can lay up to three clutches of from two to eight. The eggs typically incubate for 75 to 85 days at 75% to 85% humidity. Box turtles exhibit TSD (Temperature-dependent Sexual Determination). Eggs incubated at 71 ° F (22 ° C) produce males. Eggs incubated at 79 ° F (26 ° C) produce a mixed ratio of males and females and eggs incubated at 88 ° F (31 ° C) produce females.
     For more information on breeding, hibernating, and caring for the young, see: Guide to a Happy, Healthy Box Turtle: Breeding - Hibernating and Hatchling Care

Interestingly, female box turtles have been known to store sperm and produce viable eggs for up to four years after copulation (Ewing, 1943 and de Vosjoli & Klingenberg, 1995).

Ailments / Health Problems:      Like many reptiles, wastern box turtles can be susceptible to illness, disease, and injury. However many ailments are preventable simply from taking proper care of the animal. Be sure to provide your pet with the right type of environment for its needs, keep it's enclosure clean and maintained, and provide it with a proper diet.
     Some ailments that can affect box turtles are respiratory infections, eye-related problems, larvae of parasitic flies, injury, stress, and shell damage.
     For more information on ailments and what to do about them see: Guide to a Happy, Healthy Box Turtle: Ailments - Health Issues

Availability:      Ornate Box Turtles are occasionally available through pet stores, being more readily available at reptile shows, and on-line.
     Though young box turtles are somewhat delicate and sensitive to husbandry errors, it is very important for hobbyists to purchase captive-produced animals whenever possible. Typically, the many wild-caught box turtles that are available each year do poorly in captivity due to stress, dehydration, and internal parasite issues.
     All box turtles are becoming more commonly available as captive-hatched specimens. Support turtle breeders by purchasing their healthy, captive bred offspring. Some breeders take their offspring to local shows as it is easier (and much better for the delicate hatchlings) to sell them to someone without having to ship them across the country. This is better for the small turtle and better for the keeper.
     Watch on-line classifieds for a breeder in your area or attend one of the larger reptiles shows in the country to find captive-hatched box turtles.

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Latest Comments
Owning an ornate in Wisconsin is not illegal, selling them is. Jason 2009-05-01
You know, owning an ornate box turtle in Wisconsin is illegial, so I hope you all have a license! Editor's Note: The Ornate Box Turtle has a wide range, it natural habitat is all across the great plains of the United States. As their numbers have been declining, they are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but in the lower risk category. Having declined dramatically in Wisconsin, they have been designated as an endangered and threatened species in that state. Interestingly, this is the state reptile for Kansas. Jaicee 2008-09-30
Hello. I live in Kansas where ornate box turtles and sliders run wild. Four years ago I found an ornate box turtle. I made a nice large outdoor pen for him and feed him mulberries and grasshoppers. Ever since he has been a great pet. He hibernates by himself in the winter in the outdoor pen and comes up early every April. (To Adrian, it would be best to loosen up some soil by its hideout and let it hibernate by itself.) Recently, I found a mate for him about his size. They mate together. If anyone has advice about breeding this type of turtle in its natural habitat, or if it's a good or bad idea to do this, please post something to let me know. john 2008-06-11
I recently found a western box turtle on a street in a development in Albuquerque about 1/2 mile from the Bosque of the Rio Grande. I made a pen outdoors facing east with shade. He is strong and feisty with a very good appetite. I feed him by hand sometimes and I do take care to keep my fingers well back from his beak. He has adjusted well so far. I thought about releasing him but dogs often run free in the Bosque and there are coyotes and skunks as well. If anyone has advice about hibernation outdoors of this type of turtle I would appreciate the input. It can get fairly cold here at night but when the sun is up it is fairly comfortable. Temperatures can dip to the teens. Maybe he should winter indoors. Adrian 2007-08-13
hello, i live in washington state and i have a ornate box turtle named zoey. i got her a few years back along with 4 others. i was not educated very well on diseases and such things and when the others caught boot fly, i didn't know wat the heck to do. for 2 years i thought they were all dead until one summer i found her baskng in her out door pen. she is very hardy but eats almost nothing but meat(night crallers in particular)and occasionlly a blackberry or two. they are truly wonderful turtles, but make sure it has a large enough pen(28 sq feet minimum). Ryan 2007-08-05
Some of the coolest comments:
The Ornate Box Turtle has now been listed by the State of Illinois as a "threatened" species. Regulations under the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act will become effective sometime in Fall 2009. For Illinois residents, establishing documentation of possession prior to the effective date of the new regulations may be wise. For clarification of requirements or restrictions pertaining to possession or trade of captive-bred specimens, contact the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. Keith 2009-07-23
I have one western box turtle as well as 6 adult easterns, 4 cross breeds western/eastern that I hatched as well as 2 russian tortoises. I find that the western is very sensitive to the climate on the east coast. He hibernates all winter with the other turtles. This is the first year that I did not have to bring him to the vet for a vitamin A shot. He is now in his 6th year. I have had him since he is a hatchling. To say that a western box turtle will not bite is not correct. I'm not sure if its because he relates fingers to food or he is defending himself but he will lunge at any fingers or toes in his general area. You have to be careful when feeding him because even though he is small still his bite is painful. I can foresee him breaking the skin maybe this year! I find that the western and the crossbreeds will eat more fruit and veggies than the easterns which seem to eat mostly a carnivorus diet with few fruit and veggies. The most favorite food for all the box turtles is garden snails. They really love them and they eat the shells too which I would guess is a great source of calcium for them. Box turtles are great pets if you can keep them outdoors at least in the summer. They become anorexic if they are not happy with their surroundings Theresa 2007-04-10

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