Terrapene ornata is a species of North American box turtle sometimes referred to as the western box turtle or ornate box turtle.

Reptiles and amphibians found in the area include the western box turtles, Arizona alligator lizards, Colorado River toads, bull snakes, and western diamondback rattlesnakes.

Shinnery oak habitats are used by black-tailed jackrabbits, desert cottontails, eastern cottontails, wild turkeys, western box turtles, a diversity of arthropods, approximately 25 snake species, and approximately 10 lizard species, including the endangered sand dune lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus).

Management decisions for the ornate box turtle are difficult because of life history factors.

Climatic factors are also possible threats to the ornate box turtle.

The age of ornate box turtles has been estimated by counting growth rings for many years.

In Indiana, the ornate box turtle is listed as an endangered species.

Educating the public about the risks to the ornate box turtle will be difficult but should be part of the conservation effort.

Several studies indicate that the ornate box turtle needs three specific types of microhabitats in order to survive:

In winter, ornate box turtles hibernate underground in burrows.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the ornate box turtle is "near threatened."

Kansas honors the ornate box turtle.

Natural history of the ornate box turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata Agassiz.

Probably the biggest factor that affects the ornate box turtle is interactions with human so any action that minimizes contact is helpful.

The three-toed box turtle and ornate box turtle can be seen occasionally in a yard next to the ocelot.

Garry Shandling as Verne, a naturally cynical ornate box turtle, the leader of the foragers.

Western ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata)

Nebraska and Louisiana have prohibited collecting ornate box turtles, but New Mexico and Texas have not.

Kansas state reptile: ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata)

Perhaps more surprisingly, two types of turtle, the ornate box turtle and the yellow mud turtle have been found in the Black Mesa preserve.

Kansans are proud to call the ornate box turtle their official reptile, while Ohioans who drink tomato juice are downing the state beverage.

Other agricultural factors that are a problem for the ornate box turtle are fences, water troughs, cattle (trampling), mowing, and other machinery.

Over-exploitation - a huge number of ornate box turtles have been collected for sale in pet stores, and individuals have always collected some turtles.

Ornate box turtles dig chambers up to 50 centimeters, while Eastern box turtles hibernate at depth of about 10 centimeters.

The ornate box turtle is an omnivore, with no particular dietary preferences; as an opportunistic feeder, it eats whatever is available in any given location or season.

The lifespan of the ornate box turtle has been reported to be from 32 to 37 years, with studies showing that males occur about half as frequently as females.

Terrapene ornata is a species of North American box turtle sometimes referred to as the western box turtle or ornate box turtle.

Because of its late reproductive age, low reproductive rate, high young mortality, and long lifespan, the ornate box turtle is subject to pressure from intrinsic factors that limit the population growth.

Kansas state reptile: ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata)

The desert box turtle (Terrapene ornata luteola) is a subspecies of box turtle which is endemic to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

The ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata) is one of only two terrestrial species of turtles native to the Great Plains of the United States.

Last night, sorting through photos I took in Kansas a couple of months ago, I found some digital snapshots of an ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata) making its way across a gravel road.