Ornate Box Turtle
ExploreReptiles
Ornate Box Turtle
Terrapene ornata
The Ornate Box Turtle has a beautiful shell with bright yellow and black patterns. They are shy and like to hide in their shells when they feel scared. These turtles are gentle and love to munch on plants and insects.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Ornate Box Turtle has a high-domed, dark brown to black shell strikingly patterned with bright yellow lines radiating across each scute. Its head and limbs often feature similar yellow markings. These vibrant patterns make it easily distinguishable.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesOrderTestudinesFamilyEmydidaeGenusTerrapene
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
6
Interesting facts
An Ornate Box Turtle can eat mushrooms, even some poisonous to humans!
Its colorful shell patterns are totally unique, like a fingerprint!
They spend winter sleeping snug deep underground to stay warm!
This turtle can live longer than many grandmas and grandpas!
Special abilities
Ability
Perfect Prairie Defense
Ornate Box Turtle can completely seal its shell shut because its bottom shell has a special hinge, protecting it from predators.
Ability
Burrow Builder
Ornate Box Turtle can dig shallow burrows to escape extreme heat or cold, creating a safe underground hideaway.
Ability
Super Sniffer
Ornate Box Turtle has an excellent sense of smell that helps it find yummy insects, berries, and fungi hidden in the grass.
Ability
Camouflage Master
Ornate Box Turtle has a shell pattern that helps it blend perfectly with the dry grasses and leaves of its habitat.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10-14 cm
- Weight
- 0.2-0.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 30-50 years
- Top Speed
- 0.5 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1-8
- Incubation
- 60-90 days
Diet & Feeding
A scavenger and hunter, it snacks on insects, worms, plants, and tasty berries.
Age differences: Young turtles eat more meat, while adults enjoy a mix of plants and insects.
Primary Foods
- Grasshoppers
- Beetles
- Caterpillars
- Earthworms
- Berries
- Wild Mushrooms
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
They raid nests for eggs or prey on young turtles.
eaten by
Coyote
Canis latrans
Coyotes are opportunistic predators of adult and young turtles.
eats
Differential Grasshopper
Melanoplus differentialis
A favorite protein source found in its grassland home.
eats
Wild Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
These sweet berries are a tasty plant snack.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Armored
Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
If you see a turtle, watch it from a distance and don't touch it. They need their space!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Ornate Box Turtle?
The easiest way to identify Ornate Box Turtle is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Ornate Box Turtle?
10-14 cm
How much does Ornate Box Turtle weigh?
0.2-0.5 kg
How long does Ornate Box Turtle live?
30-50 years
How fast can Ornate Box Turtle move?
0.5 km/h
What does Ornate Box Turtle eat?
A scavenger and hunter, it snacks on insects, worms, plants, and tasty berries.
Where is Ornate Box Turtle usually found?
Grasslands
How does Ornate Box Turtle hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Park15 sightings50 species
Illinois, US
Lock and Dam No. 17
You might spot Painted Turtle, Ornate Box Turtle, and Pond Slider.
View guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Nebraska, US
Hooker County Courthouse
You might spot House Finch, Woodhouse's Toad, and Mourning Dove.
View guide →
Park26 sightings12 species
Illinois, US
La Grange Lock and Dam
You might spot Olympia Marble and American Field Pansy.
View guide →
Park0 sightings12 species
Illinois, US
Lock and Dam No. 22
You might spot Snapping Turtle, Cardinal Flower, and American Bullfrog.
View guide →
Park16 sightings12 species
Texas, US
Rita Blanca National Grassland
You might spot Field Bindweed and Purple Groundcherry.
View guide →
Park14 sightings3 species
New Mexico, US
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
You might spot Creosote Bush, Devilshead, and Lace-Spine Nipple Cactus.
View guide →
