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| Here is the box turtle we found. |
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| Couldn't resist. |
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| This is Claire's drawing of our turtle. She used a regular pencil for the outline then colored pencils to fill in. |
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| This is my drawing using regular and colored pencils. |
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| Cody's box turtle coloring page. |
HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY
LESSON 52
The Turtle
1. How much can you see of the turtle when it is walking? If you disturb it what does it do? How much of it can you see then? Can you see more of it from the lower side than from the upper? What is the advantage to the turtle of having such a shell?
A: We can see its head, neck, front legs and feet, back legs and feet, and its tail when it is walking. When disturbed, it draws into its shell. Then, we can only see its nose and claws. When we flip him onto his back, we can see a little more of his body inside the shell because the top shell overlaps the bottom one. A turtle's shell provides protection from predators.
2. Compare the upper shell with the lower as follows: How are they shaped differently? What is their difference in color? Would it be a disadvantage to the turtle if the upper shell were a light colored as the lower? Why? Make a drawing of the upper and lower shell showing the shape of the plates of which they are composed. Where are the two grown together?
A: The upper shell is shaped like half of a ball. The lower shell is much flatter. The colors and patterns on both the upper and lower shell are much the same. The two grow together between the front and rear legs.
3. Is the border of the upper shell different from the central portion in color and markings? is the edge smooth or scalloped?
A: The border of the upper shell is barely distinguishable from the rest. It is slightly scalloped.
4. How far does the turtle's head project from the front of the shell? What is the shape of the head? With what colors and pattern is it marked? Describe the eyes. How are they protected? How does the turtle wink? Can you discover the little eyelid which comes up from below to cover the eye?
A: When fully extended, the tip of his snout is about 5cm from the shell. Its head is snake-like in shape. It is a solid brownish gray color and scaly. The eyes are greenish yellow. When it closes its eyes, the bottom lid moves up. When a person closes her eyes, the top lid moves down.
5. Describe the nose and nostrils. Do you think the turtle has a keen sense of smell?
A: The nostrils were two small holes near the tip of the snout. We think it should have a keen sense of smell.
6. Describe the mouth. Are there any teeth? With what does it bite off its food? Describe the movement of the throat. What is the cause of this constant pulsation?
A: The mouth is shaped much like a bird's beak. It has no teeth. It does have a tongue. Its beak must be sort of sharp because when it bites something like lettuce, it leaves a perfect triangular cut mark.
7. What is the shape of the leg? How is it marked? How many claws on the front feet? Are any of the toes webbed? Why should they be webbed?
A: Our turtle had soft, rectangular shaped legs. It had 5 claws on each front foot and 4 claws on each back foot. It did not have any webbing. Since it lives entirely upon land, it does not need webbing. Webbed feet are good for swimming.
8. Describe the tail. How much can be seen from above when the turtle is walking? What becomes of it when the turtle withdraws into its shell?
A: The tail is about 3 cm long and tapers to a point. It is covered with scales that are shingled like an armadillo shell. It tucks its tail to the side when it withdraws into its shell.
9. How much of the turtle's body can you see? What is its color? Is it rough or smooth?
A: The body is rough and scaly, but very soft and squishy. The skin is loose and wrinkly. It is the same grayish brown as the shell.
10. What are the turtle's enemies? How does it escape from them? What noise does the turtle make when frightened or angry?
A: A turtle's main enemies are other turtles. It escapes from predators by withdrawing into its shell. It will sometimes hiss when angry or frightened.
11. Do all turtles live for part of the time in water? What is their food and where do they find it?
A: No, our turtle lives entirely on land. The eggs are laid and buried underground. Box turtles are not picky eaters. They will eat tender vegetables, carrion, insects, fruit and worms.
12. How do turtle eggs look? Where are they laid? How are they hidden?
A: We observed red eared sliders laying eggs twice in our yard. First, they dug a shallow hole. Then they filled that hole with urine. The moisture made the dirt softer. They continued digging the hole deeper and and filling it with more urine. Finally, when the hole was about 1 foot deep, they laid eggs--more than 10 less than 20. The eggs were cream colored and soft shelled. They were about the size of a small walnut. Then, they covered them back up with dirt packing it tightly. In fact, they packed the dirt so well that had we not been watching, it would have been hard to tell that the dirt had been disturbed.
