# 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. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Ornate Box Turtle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ornate_and_desert.jpg&width=800) Photo: The original uploader was Dawson at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ornate_and_desert.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Terrapene ## 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 - **Perfect Prairie Defense:** Ornate Box Turtle can completely seal its shell shut because its bottom shell has a special hinge, protecting it from predators. - **Burrow Builder:** Ornate Box Turtle can dig shallow burrows to escape extreme heat or cold, creating a safe underground hideaway. - **Super Sniffer:** Ornate Box Turtle has an excellent sense of smell that helps it find yummy insects, berries, and fungi hidden in the grass. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — They raid nests for eggs or prey on young turtles. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Coyotes are opportunistic predators of adult and young turtles. - **Eats:** [Differential Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## 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? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Lock and Dam No. 17](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lock-and-dam-no-17) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Hooker County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hooker-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site - [La Grange Lock and Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/la-grange-lock-and-dam) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Lock and Dam No. 22](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lock-and-dam-no-22) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Rita Blanca National Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rita-blanca-national-grassland) — Texas, US · National Park - [Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/organ-mountains-desert-peaks-national-monument) — New Mexico, US · National Park [View all places to see Ornate Box Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ornate-box-turtle) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Ornate Box Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ornate-box-turtle)