![]() ![]() The eggs are usually laid at the end of July in nests that the female builds. After mating, the fertilized eggs are held inside the female for about 50 days. Mating may not occur when the weather is very dry and there is little food. Smaller males often attempt to mate with larger females because of this. ( Blair, 1976 Brumwell, 1940 Taylor, 1933)įemales are usually able to mate when they are 8 years old, and males are able to mate when they are 5 years old. Females can store sperm from several different males. Males and females can both mate with several different mates in one mating season. The male may squirt water out of his nose, due to his stomach being squished from being pressed up against the female. ![]() To mate, the male holds the female from behind with all four of his limbs. Chasing the female lasts about half an hour, and then the female will mate with the winning male. In response, the female often runs from the male, leaving him behind to chase her or to fight with other males who want to mate. He may also nudge and bump her shell, and position himself on top of her. To win the female, the male does such courtship behaviors as staring at the female, following her around, and rubbing up against her. Mating takes place between April and October. ( Blair, 1976 Doroff and Keith, 1990 Metcalf and Metcalf, 1970 Metcalf and Metcalf, 1985 Miller and Birchard, 2005 Nieuwolt-Dacanay, 1997 Packard, et al., 1985) They reach their maximum size at about 13 years of age. Western box turtles are well developed at the time of hatching, and continue to grow over time. Eggs that develop below 28☌ usually become males. Eggs that develop at or above 29☌ will usually become females. The sex of the young is also determined by the surrounding temperature. The eggs incubate for about 50 days, though they can develop faster at warmer temperatures. They have large eggs compared to other related species, and the size of the egg depends on the pelvic size of the female. To begin their life cycle, female box turtles lay eggs. Range elevation sea level to 6,500 m to ft.These animals are found in the following types of habitat.( Bernstein and Black, 2005 Bernstein, et al., 2007 Converse and Savidge, 2003 Degenhardt and Christiansen, 1974 Doroff and Keith, 1990 Metcalf and Metcalf, 1970 Nieuwolt-Dacanay, 1997 Plummer, 2004) They live at altitudes ranging from sea level to 6,500 m, but are typically found around 1,500 m. These turtles spend much of their time in small underground burrows, especially during warm parts of the day and during winter. It can be found in grasslands, as well as sand dunes, agricultural land, and occasionally in ponds and wetlands. The western box turtle primarily lives on land. ( Bernstein and Black, 2005 Bowen, et al., 2004 Doroff and Keith, 1990 Nieuwolt-Dacanay, 1997 Packard, et al., 1985) Both subspecies can be found in the Great Plains, while the desert box turtle is in New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico, and the ornate box turtle is more common in Central United States. There are two subspecies, the ornate box turtle ( Terrapene ornata ornata) and the desert box turtle ( Terrapene ornata luteola). It is found as far north as Wisconsin and South Dakota, and as far south as northwestern Mexico. It is found in the southwestern and central United States between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River. Terrapene ornata, the western box turtle, is native to North America. Average basal metabolic rate 0.158 cm3.O2/g/hr.Range basal metabolic rate 0.05 to 0.30 cm3.O2/g/hr.( Bernstein and Black, 2005 Blair, 1976 Costanzo, 1982 Gatten, Jr., 1974 Metcalf and Metcalf, 1985 Miller and Birchard, 2005 Packard, et al., 1985 St. They are about 120 mm in length, though females are slightly larger than males. Females have brown or black eyes and head. Males are also more brightly colored, with bright red eyes and green heads. luteola (desert box turtle) has more yellow stripes on their shells and body than T. All adults have yellow spots on their head, but subspecies T. They have rings on their shells that show their age, as well as thick, yellow lines on their shells. The western box turtle's shell, tail, head, and limbs are mostly dark brown or black in color. ![]()
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