Eastern Box Turtle

Description:

Eastern Box Turtle, dark brown shell with symetrical splashes of orange. Brighter orange color on front arms and head (indicating that it is a male) Tried to intrest him in a piece of cantelope, but he refused it. Shy at first but within 5 minutes he poked his head out and soon he was insistant on leaving. I found him in the wild and let him return :0)

Habitat:

"The common box turtle inhabits open woodlands, marshy meadows, floodplains, scrub forest and brushy grasslands." -Wikipedia

Notes:

Adult male (bright orange eyes), beautiful orange color on legs and head, few smudges and spots on shell. **Interesting fact found on Wikipedia, "If common box turtles do become too hot, (when their body temperature rises to around 32°C), they smear saliva over their legs and head; as the saliva evaporates it leaves them comfortably cooler. Similarly, the turtle may urinate on its hind limbs to cool the body parts it is unable to cover with saliva." I adore turtles as did my son and grandmother. I spent some time with him then let him go on about his journey.