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Project Noah Nature School
Terrapene ornata
Box turtle with yellow radial stripes on scutes.
Hinged front third of lower shell allows the turtle to retract and enclose head and arms completely. This was observed when we picked up the turtle.
Spotted on Apr 14, 2012
Submitted on Apr 15, 2012
2 Comments
Preciosa manchas en su caparazón genial
This turtle is either an Eastern Box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina ) or an Ornate Box Turtle The Eastern Box Turtle is very common in your state and can be seen crossing the highways in large numbers during the mateing season. This species is mild mannered and exhibits classic behavior if approached, it stops, closes it's lower shell over the opening waiting for you to pass. If the eyes are orange it is a male. I posted a similar individual sighted near Carlinville, Illinois in early April.