Ornate Box Turtle
Terrapene ornata

As a young turtle, Eddie was illegally kept as a pet. His owner attempted to sell him on Craigslist and the DNR confiscated him in 2014. Eddie lived at a DNR station for a few years before being transferred to a local wildlife center. In 2020, Eddie moved to Schlitz Audubon as our first ornate box turtle ambassador.

Eddie’s Hatch Year: Unknown

Weight: .6 pounds

Shell length: 5 inches

Distribution and Habitat: Found in southwest and central Wisconsin. Prefers dry sand prairies, savannas, and partly open woodlands.

Diet: Omnivorous. Feed on grasshoppers, earthworms, and other small invertebrates, as well as vegetation and berries.

Lifespan in the Wild: 30 years

Lifespan in Captivity: 30-60 years

Fun Fact: Box turtles have a hinge on their lower shell (plastron) that allows them to pull their limbs into the shell and close it completely.

More About My Species: Ornate box turtles are endangered in Wisconsin. Found in only eight counties in the southwest and central part of the state, their largest threat is habitat loss. They burrow in the loose substrate and are completely terrestrial turtles. They are able to reproduce at 7-8 years old and the female will lay 2-6 eggs.