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
Daily activity consists of periods of basking, foraging, and rest, the
durations of which are influenced by temperature and humidity. There
is no activity after dark except that of nesting females. After
several days of activity there is a period of rest; rest periods
seemed not to be correlated with climatic conditions. The average
distance traveled per day in summer is 200 to 300 feet. Movements of
gravid females are more extensive (average, 363 feet per day) than
those of other members of the population; one individual traveled
approximately one-fourth of a mile in a single day. Turtles removed
from their normal home ranges traveled farther per day than any other
group. Movements in autumn are less extensive (average, 152 feet per
day) than at other times in the season of activity.
Individual box turtles tended to remain in small areas for long
periods; these areas were interpreted as home ranges. The estimated
average radius of 44 home ranges was 278 feet (average area, 5.6
acres). The average area of eight home ranges that were actually
measured was five acres. General suitability of habitat and certain
physical features of terrain (rock fences, ravines, barren fields)
that acted as barriers were thought to be the most important factors
governing size of home range. Of two turtles removed more than
one-fourth of a mile from their home ranges, one homed and one did
not. Home ranges of turtles of all ages and sexes overlap broadly.
There was no indication that territoriality or social hierarchy
existed in the population studied.
Box turtles are subject to injury from natural causes that include
fire, cold, molestation by predators, and trampling by cattle.
Automobiles and farm machinery now constitute major causes of
mortality and serious injury. Capacity to recover after serious injury
is great but there is increased chance for secondary injury,
infection, and predation in the period of recovery. Pits on the shell
from unknown causes ("shell pitting") are less common in ornate box
turtles than in other kinds of turtles.
Ectoparasites infesting _T. ornata_ are larvae of chigger mites (genus
_Trombicula_) and larvae of bot flies (_Sarcophaga cistudinis_).
Ectoparasites usually have little adverse effect on the turtles,
although heavy infestations cause occasional injury or death.
Few natural enemies other than man are known; however most wild
carnivores as well as opossums, large birds, and domestic dogs and
cats are suspect as predators. The incidence of predation on eggs and
small juveniles is far greater than on older juveniles and adults.
Adults of _T. ornata_ occasionally attack smaller individuals.
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