Tracking Turtles

My husband and I have been seeing many box turtles in our little 80 acre woods.  But it is hard to know if we are seeing many different turtles, or the same turtle many times.  Hence, we have started a simple system of labeling the carapace using a permanent marker.  Some researchers make notches in the carapace, but we think this system is easier.

Using a silver permanent marker, we labeled the year (2012) and started numbering the turtles with #1.  We have only just started and have labeled 3 so far.  All were found within 100 feet of our house.  The last one was found burying itself under a pile of leaves.  Hopefully we will see these turtles again--perhaps after a rain and cooler weather would be a good time to look for them.  We do not know how long the marks will endure, but hopefully through this season.


According to Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri, a Kansas study found that ornate box turtles may have a home range of up to five acres, and there may be as many as 2 per acre.  In another reference  for eastern box turtles, they state that these turtles do not travel far--only 200meters   The Smithsonian Box Turtle Fact Sheet  states that box turtle ranges will overlap.  In an Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission publication, it is noted that researchers have documented the home ranges of three-toed and ornate box turtles to be as small as three acres or as large as 100 acres.

Box turtles seem to remember landmarks in their home ranges which contributes to their strong homing instincts. If removed from their home range and relocated , the turtles will generally not stay in a new location but will travel long distances in order to return to their original home.

We hope to continue to monitor the density and home range of the box turtles that call our woods their home.  They are certainly fun critters to watch.