Haven't seen a Box Turtle on my property in 2-3 years.

Then all of the sudden encountered TWO in the last two days.

I suppose mating season has brought them out. Glad to see that some are left.

They used to be more common here (Deep East Texas) but like a few other species (Roadrunners, Quail, Horned Toads, native Red Ant, etc) they seem to be on the decline.

Saw one in the yard Saturday, usually just see them behind the house in the woods, this one must have come under the gate. moved him out back into the woods where I see more of them.

Thanks for taking care of it.

One thing I was unaware of....until recently, is how small their 'Home Range' is. Reported to be no more than 5-20 acres (Eastern Box Turtle).

Saw one last year on the place pretty cool to have around.

In captivity can live from 50-75 yrs. (one recorded to have lived 100 yrs).

In the wild will average 25-30 years....but can go 50 years.

Females have the ability to 'store' sperm (after mating) for up to 4 years. So 'could' lay fertilized eggs any time during that period, meaning they don't have to mate every year, but probably do.

I typically move 6-20+ a year out of the road. Lots of them around here.

If I find them in a fairly urban or busy area I release them in the woods behind our house.

Do the same with snakes. Have released a rough green snake and a couple of hognose snakes here last year.

Had a Texas rat snake and a speckled king released this week….no turtles this year yet.

Where I deer hunt in western Kansas, we see a lot during the Sept muzzleloader hunt. They are all over the roads, and it gets old stopping every mile to move them off into the brush.

I'm not sure if the information is accurate but have read that it is a bad idea to relocate turtles.

https://citywildlife.org/odyssey-of-an-urban-box-turtle/#:~:text=NEVER%20DISTURB%2C%20PICK%20UP%20%2C%20OR,left%20where%20they%20are%20found.

These are my wife's pets. At my wife's request I designed and built this enclosure for them. I don't remember how long we have had them, but many years. That Three Toed Box Turtle I know has been with us for over 30 years. There is also a Russian Tortoise. They live in there 24/7 and hibernate every winter. I added the pond and stream for a permanent water source for them. Plus it is nice to sit outside and listen to the waterfall and watch dragonflies fly around it. Many of the plants were chosen because they are also food or attract food. It changes a lot with the seasons. By design we can be away for several days and they not need any special care. The habitat also attracts a lot of volunteer toads and lizards too that get really tame and can be hand fed. The pond is heated in the winter and is it's own ecosystem of fish, giant snails, etc.

That's cool!!!

Used to have a few back home that my mother fed fruits and vegetables that were half used or going bad.

Moved one out of the county road at my gate this morning. For some reason there are folks that think they need to run over every turtle and snake they see...idiots

Thank You for being a good steward of the wildlife. Not everyone would be so thoughtful.....or take the time.

^^^^^^

You pegged the 'reason'.

Pups found another one this morning. Relocated so it is away from them. Small one this time.

Cool

That's awesome! Have a couple of Red Footed that are about 5yrs old. I enclosed my garden and let them hang in there. Garden is weedy since I don't treat the area. I need to weedeat to clean it up but they love to eat the dandelions that are going in there. I've had a 3 Toed Box in there the last two years. I haven't seen him come out of hibernation this year. I think he dug out and escaped. This was Saturday morning my little nephew was over hand feeding them. Then Sunday morning after 4" of rain and one of my drain catch basins got clogged and lots of water got into the garden. The doghouse in there is their favorite handout spot.