Welcome to Pomme de Terre State Park & Wildlife 27 Our Wildlife Missouri Turtle Three-toed Box Turtle While visiting Pomme de Terre Lake, you will notice that the peaceful environment is home to many different critters. Among one of our favorites is the box turtle. This small, land-dwelling turtle, with a high-domed shell normally has three toes on each hind foot. Coloration of the upper shell may be plain olive or olive-brown with faint yellowish lines radiating from the center of each large scute. The lower shell has a distinct hinge across the forward third of the shell, which allows the turtle to close the lower shell up against the upper shell for protection. The lower shell is plain yellow with some brown smudges. The head, neck and limbs may be brown or black with a varied amount of yellow and orange, depending on the age and sex of the turtle. Although most specimens have three toes on each hind foot, some individuals may have four on each hind foot. Adult three-toed box turtles range in upper shell length from 4 ½ to 5 inches. Daily activities of this species begin with a period of feeding, followed by basking in the sun in an open area. This reptile prefers a habitat of oak-hickory forest with numerous openings and edge areas �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� earthworms, but older turtles eat a large amount of plant matter. Females lay from three to eight elongated, white eggs. One or two clutches may be laid per season. Thousands of these reptiles are killed on our roads and highways by cars and trucks...so be careful not to hit them, please! For more information, contact or visit on-line: Missouri Department of Conservation P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 www.MissouriConservation.org Visit, Shop, Play & Dine the ‘Gem Of The Ozarks’ - Lake Pomme De Terre
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