Baby box turtles coming

Earlier this month, I was out working in my yard and noticed some movement near a forsythia bush.

I went over to see what was going on and found a box turtle digging a shallow hole at the edge of the flower garden. It seemed oblivious to my presence and, as I stood there watching, I realized that I was observing a female getting ready to lay eggs.

Within 30 minutes she finished her task, covered the eggs, and wandered off into the woods. About two months from now, I should have some baby turtles around my house.

The eastern box turtle is often called a terrapin, which is a derivation of its scientific name, terrapene. One of 23 species of turtles found in the state, it is primarily a terrestrial species but will readily enter water, particularly during hot, dry weather. They overwinter by burrowing into the soil or under clumps of leaves or other vegetation. Box turtles can tolerate freezing of up to 50 percent of their bodies and remain frozen for three days without injury.

Box turtles are omnivors, and are known to feed on berries, leaves, slugs, snails, insects and mushrooms. They sometimes enter gardens and bite chunks out of tomatoes and strawberries, but in recognition of their voracious appetite for slugs, I readily forgive them for their occasional transgressions in my vegetable patch.

The ability to completely close the shell offers protection from many predators. Rats and hogs have been known to kill box turtles, and the eggs are vulnerable to dogs, raccoons, skunks and foxes. The most important predators are humans, who kill hundreds every year on Virginia’s highways. The most vulnerable period is during the summer, particularly during the early morning hours or following showers.

Box turtles breed throughout Virginia, and fresh eggs have been found from early May through September. This species is long-lived; unconfirmed reports indicate they may have a life span equal to or exceeding humans. An adult male was found in Rockingham County in 1985 with the date 1874 carved on its shell.

The box turtle is one of the most frequently encountered reptiles in our area. However, because of the large numbers killed every year by traffic and fragmentation of habitat, we should be concerned about the loss of reproductive adults. Dramatic declines have been reported locally, especially where urban growth is unchecked. For more information about these interesting animals, you may want to consult “The Reptiles of Virginia,” by Joseph Mitchell, published in 1994.

News and notes
On Sunday morning, the Appalachian Trail Club will sponsor a hike along Thunder Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This will be an easy 3- or 4-mile hike at a leisurely pace while watching for lilies and other summer flowers. Call (434) 384-7339 for more information.