The Ornate Box Turtle inhabits grasslands and prairies of the central U.S. Its shell is decorated with radiating yellow lines on a dark brown background. It is more tolerant of dry conditions than its eastern relative.
Habitat
Prairies, grasslands, and open sandy areas
Diet
Insects, earthworms, berries, and plant matter
How common
Uncommon
Best time to see a Ornate Box Turtle
The best time to see a Ornate Box Turtle is May–July, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 10,246 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Recent Ornate Box Turtle sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted an Ornate Box Turtle?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.
5,300+species
63national parks
50states
More reptiles & amphibians
Ornate Cat-eyed Snake
Leptodeira ornata
Ornate Slider
Trachemys ornata
Ornate Tree Lizard
Urosaurus ornatus
Osa Anole
Anolis osa
Ouachita Dusky Salamander
Desmognathus brimleyorum
Ouachita Map Turtle
Graptemys ouachitensis
Ozark Zigzag Salamander
Plethodon angusticlavius
Pacific Coast Parrot Snake
Leptophis diplotropis