8/3/2023 0 Comments Land turtlesOverall, box turtles are considered tolerant and sociable, however, young neonate offspring will often cannibalize each other upon hatching. Aggression and territory disputes between males in mating seasons are rare and non-threatening. Social Behaviorīox Turtles are often found hibernating together in groups of up to 10, and are generally tolerant of overlapping territory. Like most reptiles, behavioral adaptations are centered around temperature, basking in the sun for energy and soaking in shallow ponds to cool. In places like Florida, turtles are active year around. In Northern climates turtles will enter hibernation in late October. In fall months turtles are observed basking in the sunlight for energy. During drought, turtles may spend time in burrows and in excessive heat turtles will seek out shallow pools of water to soak in. Ideal temperature is 80-95☏ and they are more active during rainy periods and immediately after it has rained. Like most reptiles, activity is temperature dependent, preferring conditions that are moist, humid, and warm. Predators: badgers, weasels, raccoons, skunks and snakes commonly prey upon adult Box Turtles, while younger turtles are far more susceptible to predation by birds, lizards, and even domestic pigs, cats, and dogs. Many species of aquatic fresh water plants as well as Native Geranium, Black Cherry and Native Grape species are aided in their germination and dispersal process when seeds are passed through the digestive system of Eastern Box Turtles. As they reach maturity they begin to eat aquatic vegetation as well as berries, fallen fruit, and wild mushrooms sometimes considered to be poisonous to humans! Ecological WebĮcological Role: Apart from playing a dynamic role in the food web of their ecosystem via population control of prey species and as a food item for predators, Box Turtles serve as a mechanism for seed dispersal. Wild Diet: Juveniles diet may include worms, slugs/snails, grubs, beetles, caterpillars and carrion. Commonly associated with deciduous forests having high leaf litter and moisture these turtles are often located near rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and other bodies of fresh water, however, they are not good swimmers. Found rarely above 1,000 feet in elevation, preferring low land habitats where water collects. Habitats: Found mostly in the Eastern United States, Box Turtles occur as far north as Michigan and Maine, South to Florida, and as far West as Texas and Kansas. Species SpecificsĪble to eat mushrooms containing poisonous compounds which are not safe for humans or other animals, perhaps acting as a defense against predation. Equipped with a hinged plastron, box turtles are capable of withdrawing completely into their shell and closing up like a box to avoid predation. Males are slightly larger, possess a rounded plastron to assist in mating, and tend to have red eyes, although this is not always a reliable indicator of sex. Males and females are sexually dimorphic in size. Turtles are usually 4-6 inches long and nearly 5 inches tall, weighing less than a pound. The high domed carapace is often a brown to tan color with hints of white, yellow, red, orange and olive tones occurring in lines, blotches or spots. All Box Turtles derive their name from the fact that they have a hinged plastron, which allows them to close their shell almost completely.
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