Box Turtle
September 12, 2022
There is a new federal bill, that if passed, would provide approximately 1.3 billion dollars annually to be split up and portioned out to state wildlife agencies. Virginia’s portion would be approximately $22.5 million, 15% of which would go toward “protecting vulnerable species.” The box turtle is one of the species that is considered a vulnerable species in our region (Hampton Roads) due to development and habitat loss.
Reference: King, Katie (September 8, 2022), A Game Changer for Our Neighbors, in The Daily Press.
Taxonomy mnemonic by Jacqueline Spencer
Do Keep Putting Conditioner On For Great Skin
Taxonomy of the Box Turtle:
Domain: Eukaryote
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudipes
Family: Emydidae
Genus: Terrapene
Species: Terrapene carolina carolina Eastern Box Turtle
Eastern Box Turtle Characteristics:
Description: 4-8.5” Color and patterns vary with tan, dark brown, yellow, orange, olive. Males have red eyes and females have yellow-brown eyes. They are able to completely withdraw into the shell. They reach sexual maturity in 10-20 years, are long lived, up to 100 years.
Breeding: Nesting May to July and lay 3-8 elliptical shaped thin-shelled eggs in a 3-4” deep cavity. The hatchlings sometimes overwinter in the nest and mature in 5-7 years.
Habitat: Moist wooded areas, meadows, pastures, flood plains. They overwinter under several cm of soil, leaf and grass.
Range: Eastern half of US
Foods: Omnivore. Fruits include blackberry, mayapple, wild strawberry, black cherry. Also mushrooms. Animals include slugs, snails, beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and flies.
References:
1) National Audubon Society, Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians.
2) dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/information/eastern-box-turtle/
Field Note 9/12/22 at 8:40am Eastern Box Turtle walking (very fast) coming from my “mini-meadow” area across the grass toward my butterfly garden. The grass was still very wet from the rain last evening. Its shell is approximately 5” in length. “Box turtles are usually seen early in the day or after rain..” “If habitat conditions remain constant, a Box Turtle may spend its life in an area scarcely larger than a football field.” (p.469 National Audubon Society, Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians.)
Wildlife Habitat at Hillmeadow
September 12, 2022
I have always enjoyed gardening, nature, and being outside. When we retired 6 years ago and moved to our 10 acre property on the Warwick River, I found my interests expanding as I experienced the wildlife and plants on our property. The need to protect the several species of native grasses in our cove and marsh from invasive phragmites became important to me. The need to develop and promote gardening and landscaping practices that protect our waterways and watersheds took on a more personal meaning to me. Our property (named Hillmeadow) is opening my eyes to nature and wildlife. We have water birds, song birds, owls, hawks, fish, shellfish, foxes, raccoons, opossums, rabbits, squirrels, moles, voles, shrews, deer, turtles, snakes, frogs, coyotes, just to name a few. Each spring we have been blessed with fox kits under our deck and have been able to watch them grow as they stay wild. We have many varieties of trees including oak, hickory, pecan, maple, tulip poplar, pine, juniper, cherry, hackberry, mulberry, sweet gum, magnolia, etc. So far we have planted some native trees, a butterfly and hummingbird garden, and a “mini-meadow”.
I am in the process of becoming a Master Naturalist and have been putting into practice what I learn.about ecosystems and creating wildlife habitats.. After a lifelong career in healthcare, I need a different route to taking care of people. Taking care of the land and wildlife on our property and in our community is my indirect way of caring for others. Volunteering to monitor water quality of our waterways, or help with a habitat restoration, or collect data for wildlife counts, or do trail cleanups, are exciting activities to participate in with the Master Naturalist program. I find that as I learn more, I see more. “We see more because we understand more of what we are seeing.” (Parker, Prysby, Kirwan, American Naturalist, Publication 465-312) By becoming a Master Naturalist I hope to learn more, to understand more, and to see more.
Fox Family
April 2, 2022
It seems that most years in the spring, we have the privilege to host a mother fox and her kits. We believe she births them somewhere else, and when they reach a certain size, she brings them here and sets up housekeeping under our deck.
A little over a week ago, we heard barking, and chittering, and bumps in the night. In the morning we saw an adult fox coming and going. Over the course of the week, we got a few glimpses of the kits, until a couple of days ago when we saw seven of them.
Kits nursing
It’s hard to imagine her slight body being able to supply enough nutrition for seven kits.
Kits Nursing
Often when the kits come at her to nurse, she pushes them away, but sometimes she lets them suckle
Vixen with squirrel
It’s a good thing that as the kits get bigger, they’re able to eat solid food.
Group of kits
Only one missing from this picture. It’s rare to see them grouped together – they’re often running all around.
Kit
They look very cuddly.
Mother and two kits
The kits are constantly tussling.
Vixen and kit
She is ever vigilant.
Vixen and kit
The kits enjoy her attention.
Vixen and kit
She seems to enjoy their attention too.