What Are the Other Types of Box Turtles?

What are the other box turtles?  

The other species of box turtles include: The Eastern box turtle, Desert box turtle, Florida box turtle,  Mexican box turtle, Three toed box turtle, Gulf coast box turtle, Western box turtle, Ornate box turtle, Aquatic box turtle, Terrapene Carolina Putnami (extinct), Yucatan box turtle, McCord’s box turtle, Zhou’s Box turtle and, Yunnan box turtle.

Resources Box Turtles

Box Turtle Ancestry

BOX TURTLES ANCESTRY (Sample: http://www.zilla-rules.com/pet-type/turtles-tortoises)

Box turtles are ancestors of the Reptilia, order Testudines, and suborders Cryptodira, and Pleurodira (“side-neck” turtles). The box turtle and tortoise both have a strong shell that protects them, but they are known for being slow. I wonder...Is their gradual speed because of that hard, cold shell?? And if it is, how do they feel? Box turtles also have beaked mouths so that they can chomp up those delicious slugs and worms. Box turtles should not be sold because then, they are not used to their original habitat, and they sometimes are forced to learn to adapt. It is very, very sad and tragic and we shou––––––––no, we NEED to protect these animals. Eastern box turtles, especially. They are very valuable, but the sad truth is that they are threatened. We really need to help these little animals.

How Do You Track Box Turtles?

How do you track box turtles?

To track box turtles, you need an antenna. The box turtle's each have their own channel that you can flip to. Each turtle has its own tracker. There is a small antenna that is applied with super strong glue. This does not harm the turtle, although you should not try it yourself. When you go to track a turtle, know that the turtles are endangered, so you should be careful with them. You should never pick up a turtle to take home. Follow the loudest beep. You can fine tune it when you get close.

Tracking Antenna

Turtle Tag (Meet Will!)

Meet the St. Louis Box Turtle Club

Meet the Box Turtle Club!

We are a group of 4th and 5th graders who are working in partnership with the St. Louis Zoo to track box turtles in Forest Park! We are hoping to learn more about box turtles and help preserve these amazing animals!
Why?

Because box turtles are awesome! 

Follow our blog to hear about our adventures and learn about box turtles with us! 

Having a little fun! :)

Eastern Box Turtles

Eastern Box Turtles

Adaptations:
Structures:
-Shell: Protection (connected to its spine)
-Eyes: Red for males; Brown for females
-Claws: Digging

Behaviors:
-Terrestrial (live on land)
-Omnivores (eat mostly meat and some plants and mushrooms)
-Not territorial
-Slow moving
-Shells can heal, but with a scar

Dangers:
-Dogs, fox, coyotes, owls, hawks, humans, raccoons
-Cars
-Habitat loss/Few places to hide
-Pet Trade
-Infections/Diseases
-Poor Eye Sight


Questions:

• Why don't box turtles play in water? 

• Are there western box turtles? If so, what do they look like?

• What kind of turtles are their aquatic cousins?

• What happens if you help a box turtle, but you put it back?
• Does it confuse the turtle if you move it back to where it was coming from instead of where it was going?
• Can a box turtle fight/protect itself?
• How do you tell if it's a box turtle instead of another type of turtle?
• Why do they call it a box turtle?
• Why is the spine attached to a shell?
• What is the home range of our Forest Park turtles?
• What colors the eyes of box turtles?
• Why are male and female eyes different colors? Why don't other turtles have this?
• Where are the safe places to take box turtles?
• What genes do box turtles inherit?