Terrapene Cooexist Alongside Owls In A Changing Environment
Terrapene ornata is a frequently ignored but intriguing terrestrial turtle, which ironically shares the habitat of the owl. Both also suffer the effects of habitat loss from deforestation and development; however, box turtles are at higher risk due to their precise home ranges, and just the slightest disturbance may destroy their chances of survival. Unfortunately, when visitors to their woodland home encounter these interesting creatures, they often remove them from their habitat and proceed to attempt to keep them as pets, which typically proves unsuccessful for the turtles. Terrapene ornata may lay up to eight eggs, but since the nests are highly vulnerable to predators, a significant percentage of the hatchlings do not survive. To read a heartwarming dialogue between the turtle and the owl, click the link in this paragraph.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
USA: Unexpected weather wreaks havoc
Crime & Punishment
AF: Confiscation of tortoises from smuggling attempt
Miscellany
USA: Lucky turtle gets second chance
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Photo from Jim Cloer.
