| If you are thinking about becoming a turtle keeper, | | | | a maximum of 15 inches in length, its shell has |
| you should make an informed decision before buying | | | | chocolate to reddish-brown hues, with a broken, |
| your pet. First, you must know which type of turtle | | | | mid-dorsal line in yellow. Its head and legs also have |
| to maintain. There are types that are suitable for | | | | yellow spots, while its tail may contain a yellow dorsal |
| beginners, such as Red Eared Sliders. However, there | | | | stripe. |
| are also others, such as Ornate Box Species that | | | | The ornate box hibernates, as do other turtles. The |
| must be taken care of only by experienced owners. | | | | experienced pet owner must first determine if his |
| If you are a prospective keeper considering acquiring | | | | pet is healthy and fit enough to undergo hibernation, |
| an ornate box turtle, think again. One of only two | | | | which usually begins in October. By the end of |
| terrestrial species native to the Great Plains of the | | | | November, most hibernating turtles will be |
| United States, the ornate turtle (Terrapene Ornata | | | | underground. The Ornate box usually hibernate alone. |
| Ornata) is difficult to maintain. It is very sensitive | | | | It is very rare that they hibernate in pairs. They |
| when placed in the wrong environment. It is not | | | | normally emerge from hibernation in April and, if old |
| appropriate to put an ornate box turtle into a glass | | | | enough, begin the mating process. Box turtles mate |
| aquarium tank. It is best to keep the ornate turtle in | | | | at the age of one or two. Female box turtles require |
| an outdoor enclosure, where there is enough dirt, | | | | a nesting place that is open, well-drained, and filled |
| sand, and grassy plains. Turtles like to live in | | | | with soft soil. They commonly lay 4 to 6 eggs, with |
| microclimates and must always have sufficient | | | | shells that are delicate and white. Incubation takes 59 |
| substrata in which to burrow. North American ornate | | | | to 70 days. |
| box turtles need regular soaking; thus, easy access | | | | Designated the Official State Reptile of Kansas on |
| to water is recommended. Moreover, the turtle may | | | | April 14, 1986, Ornate Box Turtles are omnivorous, |
| often be unwilling to eat when in captivity, so careful | | | | requiring live food, such as caterpillars, beetles, and |
| monitoring is required. For these reasons, ornate box | | | | grasshoppers. They also eat fruits, such as melons, |
| turtles are not recommended for novice keepers. | | | | strawberries, tomatoes, and blackberries. The ornate |
| Like any box turtle, an ornate box can secure itself | | | | box turtles, which belong to the Emydidae family, |
| from predators by completely closing its shell. Its | | | | have a life span of 32 to 37 years, unlike other |
| plastron has a hinge that enables it to firmly hide | | | | turtles that can live for as long as 80 to 100 years. |
| itself. There is no way a predator can get through | | | | Relatively small turtles, they are not in danger of |
| the sealed shell. In addition, ornate box turtles have a | | | | extinction, but are nevertheless protected in Kansas, |
| high-domed, oval shell with a flattened top. Reaching | | | | Indiana, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin. |