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
turtles eat mostly insects and 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 - Lake Pomme De Terre
/www.MissouriConservation.org