Natural History of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata AgassizLegler, John M.
Science
Natural History of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata Agassiz
Legler, John M.
Ornate box turtle
Observations were made at the Damm Farm on 102 days in the two-year
period beginning in Autumn, 1954; observations were concentrated in
the period from May to October although some observations were made in
every month, January and February excepted. Field work was done
chiefly in daylight hours but a few trips were made to the study area
at night.
Routine handling of each turtle captured at the Damm Farm consisted
of: marking, weighing and measuring turtle; recording the exact place
of capture, body temperature and environmental temperature; and,
recording miscellaneous items such as the presence of ectoparasites,
injuries, distinctive markings, and in some instances, the approximate
age of the turtle.
Excursions on the Damm Farm were made on foot in 1954 and 1955, and,
in 1956, on horseback. By using a horse, more ground could be covered
per unit of time, a better view could be obtained of immediate
surroundings, and, cattle on the area, being accustomed to horses, did
not become agitated as they would when unmounted persons were nearby.
The entire study area could not be inspected thoroughly in a single
day. It was usually more profitable to find and mark turtles along
fences, in ravines, or in other open areas, and subsequently to follow
their movements away from these areas by means of trailing threads.
Turtles could be observed from a distance through binoculars.
Cultivated areas were regularly scanned with binoculars but turtles
were seldom seen there. Behavior was observed by sitting motionless on
rock fences or in a blind on top of a stepladder.
No box turtles were removed from the study area. Specimens obtained in
other areas were used for studies of growth, reproduction, and food
habits. Measurements, weights, and data concerning temperature and
ectoparasites were obtained from specimens collected elsewhere as well
as from individuals on study areas.
Turtles were obtained by hand-collecting and in unbaited traps; the
number captured in a single day ranged from 12 to none. Traps, like
those used by Packard (1956:9) for tree squirrels, were set in the
mouths of burrows and dens, or--with leads to channel animals into the
trap--along ravines and rock fences. Traps set in the open were
covered to prevent death of turtles from overheating in direct
sunlight. Live-trapping provided much valuable data, although quail,
rabbits, opossums, and box turtles were caught with about equal
frequency in the traps.
Turtles were marked by notching the marginal scutes of the carapace by
means of a hacksaw blade, following the code system described by Cagle
(1939). Notches, one eighth to one quarter of an inch deep and wide
could be cut more quickly than filed and were more evident than
drilled holes which often became plugged with soil and obscured.
Hatchlings and juveniles were notched with a sharp knife.
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