Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata)

Ornate Box Turtles are exquisite turtles that require intelligent and sensitive care. These turtles have very particular needs with regard to habitat and feeding. Their small, domed carapaces have beautiful markings that are unique to every turtle. Want to know if your turtle is a boy or a girl? Males have a red iris, while females have a light brown iris.

The Ornate Box Turtle is native to plains and prairies in sandy areas. Your Ornate Box Turtle also needs a place to burrow when they need to escape the heat. With proper care and love, Ornate Box Turtles can live more than 50 years. You can easily tell the age of your Ornate Box Turtle, too. Just look at the scutes on its carapace and count the rings that mark their annual growth. If you have any other questions about caring for your turtle or tortoise, contact our experts at TurtleShack.com.