![]() ![]() Wet substrates produce turtles with increased masses from the time of egg-laying, whereas eggs incubated on dry substrates decrease their mass. The moisture at which the eggs are incubated has a significant effect on the hatchlings. It is known, however, that turtles incubated at temperatures above the typical 20 to 30☌ often develop faster. They are normally incubated for about 50 days, although incubation period ranges have not yet been published. Incubation time for eggs is temperature-dependent. Egg width is directly related to pelvic width of the female, but not her overall body size. The eggs of the western box turtle are relatively large compared to other species in the Family Emydidae. 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. Typically their metabolic rates are between 0.05 to 0.30 ml/h, with averages at 0.158 ml/h. ornata prefer temperature ranges from 25 to 30☌ year round. Differences in the average shell size between females and males is generally contributed to the fact that females tend to be slightly larger than males. The plastron averages 120 mm long for females and 116 mm long for males. Although still roughly dome-shaped, western box turtles are known for having relatively convex carapaces. The carapace averages 120 mm in length for adults. On average, adults weigh between 198 to 538 g. A female's eyes and head are typically brown or black. Bright red eyes and green heads are characteristic of males, with brighter colors perhaps improving reproductive success. Additionally, sexual dichromatism exists in this species. luteola has more yellow stripes on their shells and body than T. All adults have yellow spots on their heads, but subspecies T. They have concentric rings on their shells that are indicative of their age, as well as elaborate thick, yellow lines that surround their scutes. The bulk of this species' shell, tail, head, and limbs are mostly dark brown or black in color. Range elevation sea level to 6,500 m to ft.( 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) Common vegetation surrounding habitat locations include various cacti ( Opuntia, Echinocereus), yucca ( Yucca glauca), creosote bushes ( Larrea divericata), mesquite ( Prosopis jusiflora), and various other small shrubs. Their home ranges generally have a great deal of leaf coverage. Uncommonly, they are also found in ponds and wetlands. Generally, these box turtles are more common in micro-habitats with high ambient temperature, and lower moisture and soil temperatures. During winter hibernation, they are found deeper, at 0.50 to 1.8 m below the surface, depending on ambient temperatures. ![]() On hot summer days they are often found in small underground burrows called forms, 0.20 to 0.50 m below the surface, averaging 0.35 m deep. This species is also commonly found within the burrows of sand dunes. The western box turtle primarily lives in grasslands at altitudes ranging from sea level to 6,500 m, but are typically found around 1,500 m. ![]() ( Bernstein and Black, 2005 Bowen, et al., 2004 Doroff and Keith, 1990 Nieuwolt-Dacanay, 1997 Packard, et al., 1985) Terrapene ornata ornata is more common in central United States, primarily in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. luteola predominates along the southwestern boundaries such as Chihuahua and Sonora Mexico, Arizona, and New Mexico. Although they show some overlap in the Great Plains, T. This species includes two subspecies, Terrapene ornata ornata (ornate box turtle) and Terrapene ornata luteola (desert box turtle). They also range southward into parts of northwestern Mexico. This species' northern boundary is marked by Wisconsin and South Dakota. Terrapene ornata, commonly referred to as the western box turtle, is an exclusively North American species that primarily occupies southwestern and central United States between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River. ![]()
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