It’s turtle time for today’s Wildlife Wednesday from your Ohio Division of Wildlife as we spotlight the Eastern Box Turtle!
This turtle gets its name from its centrally hinged plastron (lower shell), which enables both front and rear portions of the plastron to be drawn up tightly against the carapace (upper shell). This “boxes in” the turtle for protection.
The high-domed carapace of the box turtle may carry a wide variety of markings. Usually, it is dark brown or black, accented with some combination of yellow streaks or blotches. Males usually have red eyes and a longer tail than females.
Found in woodlands throughout Ohio, the box turtle is our most terrestrial turtle. During the heat of summer, this extremely gentle animal spends the day hidden beneath rotting logs. decaying leaves, and other plant debris, venturing out only during early morning or evening. A sudden shower after a dry spell usually will bring out box turtles in large numbers.
For more info on this species, head to https://ohiodnr.gov/…/reptiles…/eastern-box-turtle. #WildOhio
