Are there box turtles in Kentucky?

Are there box turtles in Kentucky?

The eastern box turtle is present throughout Kentucky, but most often found where there is a mixture of forestlands and overgrown fields, with moist underbrush around springs, seeps or small creeks. Shell shape and coloration is highly variable.

How do I identify a Florida box turtle?

The Florida box turtle is similar in color to the Western Ornate turtle but has thinner and more numerous yellow markings. The background of the shell is black. It has thick yellow stripes on each side of its head. The back of its shell flares out slightly.

What species of turtles is in Kentucky?

Turtle species in Kentucky

• Smooth Softshell Turtle.
• spiny softshell turtle (apalone spinifera)
• Common snapping turtle sitting on gravel with algae on its shell.
• Alligator Snapping Turtle.
• Eastern Mud Turtle.
• Common Musk Turtle on white background.
• Midland Painted Turtle.
• common map turtle on white background.

What species is my box turtle?

Species of American Box Turtle. American box turtles live in the eastern, central and southwestern parts of the U.S. and in eastern Mexico. They are part of a large family of turtles called Emydidae. This family is subdivided by genus, and the American box turtle belongs to the genus Terrapene.

Can you keep a wild box turtle in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, it is illegal to remove turtles from the wild and keep them as pets, buy or sell them. It is also illegal to remove turtles from the wild and use them in turtle races.

Are box turtles endangered in Kentucky?

The Eastern Box Turtle is considered a common turtle in Kentucky and the turtle we most see in wildlife rehabilitation. But did you know that the box turtle is actually threatened in many states? They are considered vulnerable in Kentucky.

How do I identify a box turtle?

It is quite easy to determine the sex of an eastern box turtle. Males (pictured above) have concave plastrons, thicker based and longer tails, longer front claws, and bright red or orange eyes. Females have flat or slightly convex plastrons, short, thin tails, and dark red or brown eyes.

How do you tell if a turtle is a box turtle?

As turtles go, the box and snapping turtles are almost opposites when it comes to their shells. Box turtles have a hinged-bottom shell, or plastron, from which they get their name. The hinge allows the shell to close completely once the turtle has drawn his legs, tail and head inside.

Are box turtles protected in Kentucky?

Government officials are recognizing that the eastern box turtle population is declining and it is now listed as a threatened species by the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This is to prevent box turtles from being sold in pet shops.

How big is a newborn box turtle?

1.25 inches
Once mature, a female box turtle will lay between 3 and 6 eggs each spring in a shallow nest which hatch in late summer or early fall. Hatchling box turtles measure only 1.25 inches (3 cm) in length.

How do I know if my box turtle is ornate?

In contrast to other box turtle species, the top of the carapace of the Ornate Box Turtle is slightly flattened and unkeeled. The background color of the carapace is brown to black and each scute features a pattern of radiating yellow lines. The plastron is also strongly marked with yellow or white lines and streaks.

Can box turtles see well?

They have superior eyesight, including color vision—not just in the daytime, but also at night—although their shell interferes with their peripheral vision. Their nose is located just above the mouth and has two nostrils you can easily see.

Where do box turtles live in Georgia?

The Florida box turtle is endemic to Florida and the most southeastern part of Georgia. They are also similar to other box turtles such as the eastern box turtle, the three-toed box turtle, and the ornate box turtle. Florida Box Turtle Habitat florida box turtle in grass peeking its head out

What kind of turtles live in Kentucky?

Quick list of the native turtles of Kentucky: Alligator Snapping Turtle Macroclemys temminckii Common Map Turtle Graptemys geographica Common Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) Sternotherus odoratus

Are box turtles protected in Florida?

Wild Florida box turtles are also protected by law in their native Florida. The Florida Box Turtle ( Terrapene carolina bauri) like other subspecies of Terrapene carolina is a threatened turtle with a conservation status of vulnerable.

How long do box turtles live as pets?

The Florida box turtle is among the most popular turtles kept as pets. Research data shows that in the wild, the average Florida box turtle lives to be over 100 years old. In captivity, however, the typical lifespan of the Florida box turtle is just 40 years. Their diets need to be 60% animal matter.