Slow and Steady
Coming across an Eastern Box Turtle in Skiles Test Nature Park is a rare treat. These remarkable creatures not only keep a low profile in the park but are also true masters of camouflage. Their dark shell with yellow or orange markings virtually vanishes against the forest floor, and if that’s not enough, box turtles can completely disappear inside this protective armor.
Like most turtle species, eastern box turtles can live for decades with some reaching centenarian status. Their secret? A slow-going, leisurely and mostly solitary lifestyle. These little guys are not known for their speed. They move cautiously and deliberately, fully assessing their surroundings for food and potential threats. With a notably slow metabolism, they spend much of their time hidden in leaf litter or lightly burrowed in soil.
When they do kick it into high gear, box turtles can reach redline speeds of .25 mph or a 4-hour mile. On a typical day, they travel 55 yards within a home range that is typically less than two acres.
There’s no place like home for these little guys. In fact, their survival depends on it. Relocating turtles to a “better place” or new area can leave them disoriented. Eastern box turtles have a strong homing instinct, and if moved, will spend the rest of their days trying to find their original home territory.
While eastern box turtles are not considered endangered on a national level, some states, including Indiana, list the animal as a species of special concern. Habitat fragmentation and loss, road mortality and collection for personal use and the illegal pet trade are leading causes of population declines. In Indiana, it is illegal to remove eastern box turtles from the wild and to sell them as pets. Removing them from the wild can cause irreversible damage to their populations. Eastern box turtles also have very specialized needs and do not make good pets.
Surprisingly, at this time of year, these laidback creatures will attempt the long and perilous trek of crossing a road. This is especially true of female box turtles that venture off to find an ideal nesting site. When coming upon a turtle in the road, you can help but be mindful of your own safety and the direction the turtle is headed. Turtles know where they want to go. If you place them on the wrong side of the road, they will try to cross it again.
When moving a turtle, it’s best to keep it low to the ground and place it off the road in the direction it was headed. Never pick up a turtle by its tail and be sure to wash your hands when finished. Eastern box turtles are usually very docile and peaceful creatures, but they can bite when they feel threatened or scared.
Given the challenges eastern box turtles face, their presence in Skiles Test Nature Park is a bright spot and an indicator of a healthy forest ecosystem.
