Finding a friend along the path!

  Son took the time today to take me for a short hike about the hillside.  We did not go far but it was exhilarating for me to leave the confines of the small garden area.  As we walked, he and I talked of many things.  He allowed me to take all the time I wanted to explore the path that I have walked so many times before.  In just the ten days of my confinement, so many things have changed.  I wanted to see every, little thing!  Along the way, I spotted a box turtle making her way to the marsh edge.  We interrupted her journey for a few moments so I could photograph her and then Son squatted down to pet her.  Animals have this thing about him.  There seems to be a connection where they know he will never harm them.  I was touched to see the interaction and to hear him state that he was glad that I taught him to respect all nature but to fear none.  Dear, old mom is proud!

  Box turtles are interesting critters.  Most folks do not know that they can easily learn who will feed them and they will return whenever they wish to eat.  Son hand feeds several of the critters and they all seem to take special care never to bite him.

Some interesting facts about box turtles.

Box turtles have a domed carapace or upper shell.  Their lower shell or plastron is hinged so the box turtle can literally close like a box for protection.

Males are larger than females.  Males have red eyes whereas females have yellowish brown eyes.

Box turtles are diurnal meaning they are active during the day.  They are more prone to be out during the early morning hours or after a rain.

Box turtles will burrow under mulch or mud to escape the heat of the day.

Box turtles will eat just about anything they can find. They are omnivores meaning they eat both plants and other animals.  (Think worms, caterpillars, frogs and insects or anything else.)

If a box turtle falls on its back and cannot right itself, it will die.

The female box turtle buries her eggs.  She digs a hole and deposits 3 to 8 eggs.  The eggs hatch quicker in the south (around 70 days) than in the north (around 120 days).

Most baby box turtles fall prey to raccoons, fox, snakes, birds and other predators.  Only a few ever make it to maturity.

Box turtles can theoretically live to 100 years of age but most die before the age of 30.

A box turtle usually lives its entire life in a territory with a diameter of about 750 feet.  

  So, now you know a bit about our sweet box turtle friends.  They are rather neat critters and are actually a big help in the garden as they do eat a lot of pests.  An occasional tomato is a small price to pay.