My Dad was a science teacher. A student brought in a newly hatched eastern box turtle. I had him as a pet for 4 years. He was so awesome. I built a indoor and outdoors area for him. One day the turtle somehow got out of his summer place. Sadly Dad was mowing grass and I think you know the results. The whole family spent most of day crying. I learned a bitter lesson. Wild things need to live wild. Im 67 now and still cry when I think of that horrid day.
You can build natural habitat around your yard to attract box turtles if you live in their natural ranges. They would be wild but you would still have them around to enjoy.
We purchased an Ornate box turtle for my son from a pet store for a Christmas gift when he was 7. My son will be 33 this year, and his mother and I still have the turtle.
This made me tear up!!!!! My dad just found one today, and gifting me tomorrow on Father’s Day! By the way, I’m female🥹This comment made me soooo happy! I’ve had plenty in the past and I want to do right this time. I’m in my thirty’s now & have learned so much more of how to care for them.
@@Sherl-h3i My wife passed away last year. We always joked from the time that we got the turtle that she would outlive the both of us. Well, she is halfway there.
Awesome story! I received a three toed box turtle from Santa Clause when I was 8. I’m now 49 years old, and this reptile still follows me around the yard.
David.. what outstanding good luck it is to find an Eastern Box Turtle... good for you. The males have red eyes and the females have brown.. did you find a male or female?
Good documentary, thanks for uploading this! I found a young female eastern box turtle today crossing the road. I slammed the breaks almost giving everyone whiplash picked her up and relocated her to safety. I see them all the time where I live and had no idea they were endangered.
Kenna Hi Kenna, I seen on another comment replied to you, informing you that they are in different areas/states. And that it's not uncommon to see areas that are populated. Did you read that comment? Just wondering if maybe you missed it.
I rescued a male boxie from the road today! I walked him across the road in the direction he was going. Hopefully he gets to his habitat safely to feed and reproduce. I found it fascinating that in some states they are a threatened species. We have them everywhere here. Good Video!!!
I wanted to do the same thing today I saved a turtle in the highway first box turtle in Springfield Missouri I've seen in 2 years I made an underground Den I don't want to keep an enclosure I'm hoping with my garden and the nice Den he'll stay any advice
@EccentricSage I planted all kinds of wild flowers and herbs along with tomatoes zucchini I have a giant rose bush that's about 12 feet High and 4 feet wide the corner of my yard is sticks and logs and I dug a place for a shallow dish to be level with the ground for water
@EccentricSage thank you I also have a whole family of rabbits and a Robin and a doves nest I just want to share my backyard with all creatures affter all they were here first
funny thing; I recently helped out a little box turtle in front of my house. My brother and I were leaving and I noticed a small yellow shell and I recognized it instantly because I used to go into the woods and find them all the time as a kid (they were really cool to me and I always just liked looking at them). So anyways the turtle was crossing the street and we were passing by so I stopped and helped it across C:
Luckily we still have a healthy breeding population around my neighborhood and we have seen them quite frequently every summer. They are super cool and just fun to watch. Helped a little female safely go on her way across the road last Summer.
What an informative piece on the endangered box turtle species. After watching this highly educational documentary, I will definitely look into charitable organizations whose efforts are directed towards preserving the natural habitat of these wonderful reptiles.
This might seem creepy!! But as a young girl I told my mother I wanted a boyfriend ( being 5 was obviously to young) we were riding down the road and a guy was walking and I said “ there’s my bf” my mother replied “ his name is georgieporgie” .. not that it was his real name as we didn’t know the guy but I remember for years we’d joke that my first bf was georgieporgie!!! I seen your name on here and it made me chuckle!!! Never seen that name anywhere in 45 years
At my home in Florida, my dog and I found a dozen adult box turtles in our first six months living and walking there. We walk an area about 1 sq mile through wilderness and residential areas bordering a salty bayou. I was amazed that these turtles get around as much as they do and also, stay in the area. Definitely a robust population in NW Florida. Also, in the past 2 years, we've seen new babies each year too.
@Bianca.K There are a number of animals in the history of the world I would never want to encounter...velociraptor is at or near the top of that list. But in an armored tank or structure with a camera, yes that would be cool.
I recently found one of these in woods and picked it up. It was so cute and it was a female with brown eyes. I walked miles back home with it back home to show my brother. Then released it back into the wild. So cool
I didn't know these were a threatened species? I live in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky and spend A LOT of time in the woods enjoying nature and finding reptiles: I literally come across these guys EVERYTIME I go out in the woods, they're legit all over the place here.. Earlier this month I probably came across 5-7 of them in less than an hour. I guess if anyone wants to study them come to Central City, Kentucky.
Same here in North Arkansas .I assume they were speaking of the more rare Ornate box turtle than the more common three toed. I am a Surveyor and I find them almost everyday in the wood and have 12 that were rescues. first one was painted hot pink with some couples name and date he had been painted for atleast 2 years. You can legally keep them here but cannot the Ornate box turtle or Alligator snapper. I also disagree with they wont breed in captivity being I have a clutch of 7 hatchlings right now in a 50 gal tupper wear until old enough to goto the big pen, but they are kept out back in a half acre area specially made to look like there habitat. and feed on there own with some help such veggies carrion and pinkys fav strawberries. If you do keep them as a pet just make sure to give them a large enough pen vinyl siding works well as a fence and is cheap plus looks good as well. that's my take on it.
John that is amazing, so good to hear. I am 12 miles North of Cincinnati in Hamilton County Ohio and when I was a kid growing up in the late 70s and 80's. I would see them in the woods by my house nearly every time we played their. Now as an adult with children, I haven't seen a box turtle in more than twenty years... Its sad.
I found one of these eastern box turtles in my suburban backyard of Willoughby, Ohio! I couldn't believe what I was seeing! I am not sure how it navigated throughout the neighborhood as most yards at fenced in.
I live in on the North Carolina/South Carolina line. I ride the roads in the spring and move box turtles off the road. I see hundreds of them when it’s baby making season.
4 box turtles 3 of them are the size of an adults hand and the last 1 is the size of a quarter im only 12 and i know a ton of stuff about them my favorite animal is the box turtle and i have these turtles because im keeping them and they are having babies and all of the turtles that the adult turtles have had have grown up and we let them go to a specialist at nature and they are all so cool and i love them they are growing up and we give them to a specailist
@@bolockhart3435 wasn't talking about anyone's punctuation. I was talking about how they are being asses instead helping the guy with the info that he needs. Idc I suck at punctuation so point it out all you 😂
I have a few box turtles myself, I got them when I was 5 years old and form a cousin that breeds box turtles. The are my favorite reptile I have and they are true sweet hearts. 🐢
Good documentary. I am fortunate to live in an area where there are still many wild Box Turtles to be seen. I am always stopping to help them cross busy roads.
thanks, i love the land dwellers and the water dwellers. nice informative video. I live in indiana next door, and the last one i found was about 10 years ago, as a kid i remember finding them somewhat regularly, maybe when i was 10 i can remember at least 5 to 10 box turtles, now they seem to be so rare it's sad..
Just found one in the back yard- wanted to know about it, found this video- very happy I did. I'd considered bringing to a friend to "rescue" it, but I won't do that now, since this patch of neighborhood is perfect for her survival, as long as she doesn't stray into dangerous yards or into the street. I'll keep an eye. [Good video, Cinci Parks- I recognized the areas in the video immediately- our neck of the woods, so to speak]
I have a male and female Eastern Box living on my 3 acres of property in Delaware. I have caught them both quite a few times over the yrs. and released them in the wooded part of my property. I worry that they might get ran over by my tractor while I'm cutting grass. I am 51 yrs. old and have had these Turtles in my life as far as I can remember. I want to make a difference to keep the species alive. They are very cool Animals.
When I was younger I did not know any better and Several I found as pets. I have most all of them still living in a fenced in area on my property designed to be like their natural surroundings. All the babies they have I keep for a year or two then release them. Now people that visit the nature park I released the men say they see them more than ever before, but I recommend most people do what they say in the video and just don't mess with them. These are truly awesome and intelligent animals.
I don't think it mentioned the low survival rate of hatchlings and low chance of mating due to low population. Only 1-2 turtles out of 100 fertile eggs make it to adulthood (about 6 years for sexual maturity which is a long time). Mating happens by chance meeting between opposite sexes which is rare. Box turtles are in decline. Please help these beautiful animals to flourish.
Awesome! I have a 3 legged box turtle also. went to move him out of the road and his front leg was hanging on by a piece of skin. didn't want to leave him. he's definitely a cuddle bug now. you can always tell where he's going when he moves because his shell hits the floor when he walks.
When I was young, I came across a small turtle by the curve of a road next to the small whittle forest. There was a dd cup next to it so I used it to scoop the little bugger up and put them back onto the grass towards that whittle Forest.
I looked up videos about box turtles cause I just found one underneath one of my bushes in my back yard and I live in Cincinnati haha. They are so cool to see I’ve probably found around 10 or so in my lifetime but I thought it was really great to see in my backyard. I figured I would just leave him go didn’t pick him up. I want it to feel safe to come back again sometime. I live on the edge of some woods in a suburban area. So it’s great to see they are hopefully doing well near me.
Just saw one of these guys cruising around in my backyard with my binoculars. I was concerned he wouldn't be able to get out bc of the fence so I put him near an area that has a dug out portion from other animals so he could get out into the woods. Placed a strawberry down to hopefully coax him out, I'll go check in a while to make sure he gets back into the woods! Was so cool seeing one though.
i found 5 of these turtles all around me this weekend. but unfortunatly 4 were already dead. but the other one i took home and fed him and he is doing just fine. i was olanning on keeping him. and i wanted to know what there diet was more in detail so thanks i really liked the video. awesome job
I just spoke with a Naturalist. Box Turtles can float, but not well. They can indeed possibly drown. This naturalist was featured in the video and actually saved a drowning box turtle yesterday who was put into a deep lake.
Yeah, also take a look at their feet: are they webbed, or do they look like an aquatic turtle’s feet? No; they’re closer to a tortoise’s foot. Even some tortoises CAN float, or at least enjoy a shallow soak, but they are not physically capable of getting themselves out of a legitimate waterway that isn’t sloped on the sides and practically still water. Turtles & tortoises may be able to re-flip themselves when they’re on their backs, contrary to many people’s assumptions, but water is actually the place they may need help (if not an aquatic species).
one summer in Maryland, I was sitting on my front stoop with my mom when a female box turtle arrived in our front garden and started digging a hole with her hind legs. It was amazing to watch her dig that hole. When she was done, she laid a clutch of eggs and then took a while to cover them up. I remember that she was missing all the claws on one of her front legs. She rested under some bushes for a while before heading back to wherever she came from. I was afraid that some predators would come and dig up her eggs, so I put a little terra cotta pot on top of them. I don't think they survived, but it was still an awesome experience
I just found an eastern box turtle in my backyard and right away Google it for the correct species. After I watched this video....... bingo... back to where I found it 😍😍. Hope more of them visit me, planting more wild berries.
The fact that you said you have kept box turtles all your life. Keeping them makes me think you are "keeping them;" not returning them. I am happy that you are returning them to the wild.
Glad I found this video. I have found 6 of these in my back yard over the past 5 months. The ones I found were fairly young, as they were the size of a half dollar. My daughter found one on the front porch today. I think our cats put it there. I fed it some shrimp. It doesn't seem frightened of me at all. It ate out of my hand and seems quite comfortable to let me hold it. This one is slightly larger that the other 5 were. I drove the other ones to the State Forest nearby and turned them loose. I'm not sure if I should do that with this one as it seems almost like it could have been someone's pet they no longer wanted. I say that because it is so comfortable around me. Any ideas what I should do?
I dont have the lamp hood light on very much but the heat rock is always on and I have used like 3 inches of soil and put some english moss over the whole thing like carpet and there are 3 good hiding holes for the turtle to go into and dig or w/e
I was fortunate to grow up in a small town with plentiful woods surrounding our home. Box Turtles were everywhere in those days. I was even able to find a female laying eggs at a neighbors. I was able to incubate 2 of the 3 eggs and I released the 2 hatchlings into the woods. 30 Years later all of the woods surrounding my old house have been cut down.
I found some before when I was a little kid. last summer I found one on my drive way good thing I didn't keep it as a pet I just picked it up and put it in the woods
This was filmed in Cincinnati Ohio where i used to live. I used to cruise one of the major parks there and see these guys all the time. I would always pick them up out of the road when i saw them and put them wherever they were headed. I even had a pet box turtle at least twice in my life. I never knew they could forget their wild instincts. But it makes sense. Hope they make a strong comeback.
I saved a box turtle it was was hit by a coal truck... years ago we took him home. Took him to the vet and survived for 5 years then passed away. I miss "lucky"Virginia Kidd.
Aquatic Highs I believe that's still saving him. Without his help, he wouldn't have even had the 5 years of life, and he was probably well taken care of.
I have three eastern box turtles that I keep as pets. One of them I caught when I was little. I didn't know better so I kept her. The second one (male) I caught a good while after the first. Again, I was still young and didn't know better. A family member recently gave me yet another box turtle (another female). I didn't know how long they had her captive so I (yet again) didn't let her go. They're all very healthy, happy, and active living in their outdoor pen. They get fed plenty, get all the sunlight/shade that they need as well as plenty of water. Their names are garnet, Ursula, and toki. (First two female, third male). I love my box turtles! I intend to take them to a breeder so I can at least give back to nature for taking the turtles out of their true home. Hopefully it goes well.
At least you're keeping them healthy and not releasing them. :) you can't undo your uneducated mistake of taking them, but you can avoid the mistake of releasing them.
Madeline Caton I have a friend that has one, and has had him for what he says over 20 years, and I don't believe he takes care of him very well. But this little guy, always seems to be pushing forward, although he rarely takes him out of the approx 5 foot tank he lives in with nothing but a box to provide shade, from the light bulb he gets light from, and bedding, and a bowl of water, and of course the bananas, blueberries, and strawberries he seems to live on. It always makes me sad for the turtle that I call Frankie :( But there is no telling this person anything about giving him a better life, by providing better living conditions. I wish that I could take him, I would spoil poor Frankie, like I do all of my babies :)
My mom found a eastern box turtle, she wanted to keep it as a pet but like she keeping it all wrong like it stay in cage and no setting temperature so I told my mom to release it after I watched this vid. Thx! 😊
My friends would mark them with fingernail polish,put it in a spiral notebook. Sometimes one would be several years before it walked into the yard again. The numbers would be almost worn off .
I live in Louisiana and work outside a good deal of the time. I have seen numerous box turtles out in the woods and that is why I was surprised to learn that they are endangered. I am sorry to hear that. I have noticed in north La box turtles have a domed shell whereas in south La the shell is more streamlined. I wonder if this is due to the abundance of wetlands in south La as opposed to north La which is more hilly and dry.
4?!? were they babies? that seems so rare.. i have actually had dreams with multiple ones around trees before. but to witness 4 at the same time is crazy! that is pretty cool.
I found one today was trying to cross the road almost run over him but he got lucky drove over him than I stopped and helped him to cross o almost make my mind to keep him as a pet but I didn't I hope I made the right choice to let him go
I found a male eastern box turtle earlier today (I live in southern maryland), I'm doing as much research as I can to make sure that it has a good life in captivity and not near the roads where he was found. I hope that I could breed him and keep the babies in the wild so that the natural population could be preserved
i had one as a kid. a family friend found it on the highway as a baby we took it in it wasnt for a year that we found out they are endangered. so we couldnt release it. she loved the water amazingly 65% of the time she swam we gave her worms mainly and crickets as well as feeder gold fish on occasion which she loved chasing. we had her about 10+ years when for no reason we know of passed away.
myth 1: "only males have red eyes". no, females can have red eyes too. It is uncommon but it does happen. myth 2: "Box turtles can't swim". Eastern box turtles are at home in the water, can and do swim, and always stay close to water.
The ornate and 3 toes are still pretty common in Oklahoma. I grew up obsessed with turtles and probably destroyed a few ecosystems in my state from catching dozens of baby aquatics and box turtles from the areas I knew to find them in. In my teens I calmed down and learned to properly care for them and by my 20s I learned to enjoy leaving them in the wild more than catching them. I am lucky that my 6 acres naturally has box turtles roaming it I find several times a year. Hatchlings r a treasure
Over the years, in my travels in states like PA and down south, I have successfully rescued MANY turtles from the road, carried them to a place of safety and released them out of harm's way--and have taught others to do so. The hardest one was a large snapping turtle, vicious as hell...I gently slid a shovel under him; with my other hand on his back, and rescued him too--as he snapped wildly in the air! He still scared me, though I set free him in a creek.
My sister found a female box turtle on the side of the rosd upside down. She thought it was dead but when she picked it up it moved, so know we keep her in a big kiddy pool. She is really friendly too. We also found a male that was covered in fire ants. He is more skiddish but once you hold him for away you warms up to you.(We keep them in seprate places so they don't mate).
Madeline Caton From what I seen on another thread, it depends on the state in which you live. Someone mentioned that it was legal in their state, but I believe required a pet permit.
I had a box turtle for today I put him in a box and took him to work with me. im a pizza hut driver and when I got home I looked up what he was and found this vid so I let him go. I hope that 🐢 stays safe out there. 🐢
My 88 year old father in law gave me his 40+ year old box turtle. I love when she looks side ways to see me and it's as though she is winking at me. She loves Fancy Feast Shrimp and tuna cat food, lettuce, strawberries. I went to pet store and bought turtle food but she won't eat it.
I have one that randomly pops up in my yard in the fall so cute and I leave it alone and love it from a distance. Lol I always have random creatures popping up in my yard between Bears, Lizards, Turtles, even a wood chuck that strolls through and eats the weeds and thankfully has enough to eat and stays out of my garden. Even the deer respectfully stay out of my garden so we ALL have this mutual respect with one another don't go next to my food and we won't ever have a problem there is more than enough native plants to feed everyone. 😄. Im very spiritual and into that metaphysical stuff so I always ask the loved ones on the other side to please keep the beautiful wild life out of my garden and it actually works there is this invisible barrier they refuse to cross especially the deer.. I live out in the woods so out here they aren't a nuisance vs the city where they will inhale ALL your plants on top of having like zero fear of humans.. 😑🤣🤣 City wild life will look right at you roll their eyes and carry on like F you I aint scared what are you gonna do about it??.. Lmfaoo
My Dad was a science teacher. A student brought in a newly hatched eastern box turtle. I had him as a pet for 4 years. He was so awesome. I built a indoor and outdoors area for him. One day the turtle somehow got out of his summer place. Sadly Dad was mowing grass and I think you know the results. The whole family spent most of day crying. I learned a bitter lesson. Wild things need to live wild. Im 67 now and still cry when I think of that horrid day.
You can build natural habitat around your yard to attract box turtles if you live in their natural ranges. They would be wild but you would still have them around to enjoy.
Thirty years ago, toads and box turtles were all over the place, even in the yards of suburban houses. Now, it's a rare occasion to see one.
We purchased an Ornate box turtle for my son from a pet store for a Christmas gift when he was 7. My son will be 33 this year, and his mother and I still have the turtle.
They can live past 75 years some live over 100
This made me tear up!!!!! My dad just found one today, and gifting me tomorrow on Father’s Day! By the way, I’m female🥹This comment made me soooo happy! I’ve had plenty in the past and I want to do right this time. I’m in my thirty’s now & have learned so much more of how to care for them.
@@Sherl-h3i My wife passed away last year. We always joked from the time that we got the turtle that she would outlive the both of us. Well, she is halfway there.
Awesome story! I received a three toed box turtle from Santa Clause when I was 8. I’m now 49 years old, and this reptile still follows me around the yard.
I just found an Eastern box turtle in my backyard. This video helped me understand the species more. Thanks!
I live in Colorado and found one in my back yard today
My dad also found an Eastern Box Turtle in our backyard! We are looking forward to taking care of it! We named our turtle Donatello
***** We found one too
David.. what outstanding good luck it is to find an Eastern Box Turtle... good for you. The males have red eyes and the females have brown.. did you find a male or female?
David Di Franco same
Good documentary, thanks for uploading this! I found a young female eastern box turtle today crossing the road. I slammed the breaks almost giving everyone whiplash picked her up and relocated her to safety. I see them all the time where I live and had no idea they were endangered.
Bobbi Ashley they're not. They're not even threatened.
Kenna Hi Kenna, I seen on another comment replied to you, informing you that they are in different areas/states. And that it's not uncommon to see areas that are populated. Did you read that comment? Just wondering if maybe you missed it.
Well done, good documentary!
I rescued a male boxie from the road today! I walked him across the road in the direction he was going. Hopefully he gets to his habitat safely to feed and reproduce. I found it fascinating that in some states they are a threatened species. We have them everywhere here. Good Video!!!
Here bc the calmness and simplicity of turtles is very relaxing to me. They remind me of myself lol
I have a male and 3 females, I breed them and after the eggs hatch I release them into the wild
I would love to have your email. You breed turtles thats great. Just in case I would like to have another turtle. Got one.
I wanted to do the same thing today I saved a turtle in the highway first box turtle in Springfield Missouri I've seen in 2 years I made an underground Den I don't want to keep an enclosure I'm hoping with my garden and the nice Den he'll stay any advice
@EccentricSage I planted all kinds of wild flowers and herbs along with tomatoes zucchini I have a giant rose bush that's about 12 feet High and 4 feet wide the corner of my yard is sticks and logs and I dug a place for a shallow dish to be level with the ground for water
@EccentricSage thank you I also have a whole family of rabbits and a Robin and a doves nest I just want to share my backyard with all creatures affter all they were here first
how can buy one I want one so bad!
funny thing; I recently helped out a little box turtle in front of my house. My brother and I were leaving and I noticed a small yellow shell and I recognized it instantly because I used to go into the woods and find them all the time as a kid (they were really cool to me and I always just liked looking at them). So anyways the turtle was crossing the street and we were passing by so I stopped and helped it across C:
spartan1010101 that’s adorable
Luckily we still have a healthy breeding population around my neighborhood and we have seen them quite frequently every summer. They are super cool and just fun to watch. Helped a little female safely go on her way across the road last Summer.
Important message. Thank for you this video
Very nice video Heather. We see the box turtles a lot this time of year in NC. Thanks so much for sharing.
What an informative piece on the endangered box turtle species. After watching this highly educational documentary, I will definitely look into charitable organizations whose efforts are directed towards preserving the natural habitat of these wonderful reptiles.
This might seem creepy!! But as a young girl I told my mother I wanted a boyfriend ( being 5 was obviously to young) we were riding down the road and a guy was walking and I said “ there’s my bf” my mother replied “ his name is georgieporgie” .. not that it was his real name as we didn’t know the guy but I remember for years we’d joke that my first bf was georgieporgie!!! I seen your name on here and it made me chuckle!!! Never seen that name anywhere in 45 years
Thanks. I just love these little critters. Just watching Fred, my russian tortoise, is just as relaxing as sitting in front of the fish tank.
At my home in Florida, my dog and I found a dozen adult box turtles in our first six months living and walking there. We walk an area about 1 sq mile through wilderness and residential areas bordering a salty bayou. I was amazed that these turtles get around as much as they do and also, stay in the area. Definitely a robust population in NW Florida. Also, in the past 2 years, we've seen new babies each year too.
@Paul Wall Positive. Hinged plastron. distinctive markings on carapace. Box turtles for sure.
@Bianca.K There are a number of animals in the history of the world I would never want to encounter...velociraptor is at or near the top of that list. But in an armored tank or structure with a camera, yes that would be cool.
I remember finding these a lot as a kid, I moved years later further north and outside their range sadly, they were fun to see.
I recently found one of these in woods and picked it up. It was so cute and it was a female with brown eyes. I walked miles back home with it back home to show my brother. Then released it back into the wild. So cool
I didn't know these were a threatened species? I live in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky and spend A LOT of time in the woods enjoying nature and finding reptiles: I literally come across these guys EVERYTIME I go out in the woods, they're legit all over the place here.. Earlier this month I probably came across 5-7 of them in less than an hour. I guess if anyone wants to study them come to Central City, Kentucky.
Same here in North Arkansas .I assume they were speaking of the more rare Ornate box turtle than the more common three toed. I am a Surveyor and I find them almost everyday in the wood and have 12 that were rescues. first one was painted hot pink with some couples name and date he had been painted for atleast 2 years. You can legally keep them here but cannot the Ornate box turtle or Alligator snapper. I also disagree with they wont breed in captivity being I have a clutch of 7 hatchlings right now in a 50 gal tupper wear until old enough to goto the big pen, but they are kept out back in a half acre area specially made to look like there habitat. and feed on there own with some help such veggies carrion and pinkys fav strawberries. If you do keep them as a pet just make sure to give them a large enough pen vinyl siding works well as a fence and is cheap plus looks good as well. that's my take on it.
John that is amazing, so good to hear. I am 12 miles North of Cincinnati in Hamilton County Ohio and when I was a kid growing up in the late 70s and 80's. I would see them in the woods by my house nearly every time we played their. Now as an adult with children, I haven't seen a box turtle in more than twenty years... Its sad.
john bevier thats great i love turtles and to hear that makes me happy turtles are so cool the more the better
scott turtles are in trouble in most states like you i havent seen one in years but when i do its great and there might be more i hope
Here in South Alabama I see one at least once per month
My grandpa is a eastern box turtle breeder and he has always released the box turtles on a protected nature trail! So is is helping a lot
Wow makes sense... I haven't seen box turtles in years either. I was thinking about getting one for my son. Glad I saw this video!
What a great informative video. I think it should be played in grade school to educate the kids.
Thanks for the video on turtles.
I found one of these eastern box turtles in my suburban backyard of Willoughby, Ohio! I couldn't believe what I was seeing! I am not sure how it navigated throughout the neighborhood as most yards at fenced in.
I'm in Lorain County and they are not native to northern ohio. Most likely, you found someone's escaped pet.
I live in on the North Carolina/South Carolina line. I ride the roads in the spring and move box turtles off the road. I see hundreds of them when it’s baby making season.
We have an Eastern Box turtle living in our backyard here in South Mississippi. We admire him but he’s free to come and go in his wild environment.
Very nice documentary!
Awesome video! Thanks for the great info & great video! 🐢👍❤️
4 box turtles 3 of them are the size of an adults hand and the last 1 is the size of a quarter im only 12 and i know a ton of stuff about them my favorite animal is the box turtle and i have these turtles because im keeping them and they are having babies and all of the turtles that the adult turtles have had have grown up and we let them go to a specialist at nature and they are all so cool and i love them they are growing up and we give them to a specailist
Rylee Rockwell , do you know what punctuation is? Learn about it!
The best way to save them is with captive breeding programs. Great work Rylee.
@@kyliesbubbie hey 12 you idiot if you didn't have any info to help him with box turtles then fuck off .
@@christaylor8627 Punctuation for you too!
@@bolockhart3435 wasn't talking about anyone's punctuation. I was talking about how they are being asses instead helping the guy with the info that he needs. Idc I suck at punctuation so point it out all you 😂
I have a few box turtles myself, I got them when I was 5 years old and form a cousin that breeds box turtles. The are my favorite reptile I have and they are true sweet hearts. 🐢
I live in Southeast Kentucky and I see box turtles all the time.
Good documentary. I am fortunate to live in an area where there are still many wild Box Turtles to be seen. I am always stopping to help them cross busy roads.
I found one yesterday but i also found one quite many years ago but i let that one go . I live in Md but i dont see a whole lot of them
What state do you live in?
Mid-Atlantic Herping South Carolina.
+moonspots01 Cause I know they're rare in Delaware. I saw the first one of my life 2 days ago. I was very lucky.
Yeah, I love turtles. They are so determined to get wherever it is they are going.
thanks, i love the land dwellers and the water dwellers. nice informative video. I live in indiana next door, and the last one i found was about 10 years ago, as a kid i remember finding them somewhat regularly, maybe when i was 10 i can remember at least 5 to 10 box turtles, now they seem to be so rare it's sad..
This was a good Documentary
Found one yesterday in the woods. Took some video only. Very beautiful!
Loved this documentary!
Just found one in the back yard- wanted to know about it, found this video- very happy I did. I'd considered bringing to a friend to "rescue" it, but I won't do that now, since this patch of neighborhood is perfect for her survival, as long as she doesn't stray into dangerous yards or into the street. I'll keep an eye. [Good video, Cinci Parks- I recognized the areas in the video immediately- our neck of the woods, so to speak]
I have a male and female Eastern Box living on my 3 acres of property in Delaware. I have caught them both quite a few times over the yrs. and released them in the wooded part of my property. I worry that they might get ran over by my tractor while I'm cutting grass. I am 51 yrs. old and have had these Turtles in my life as far as I can remember. I want to make a difference to keep the species alive. They are very cool Animals.
Great video. I really enjoyed it.
We have an eastern box turtle in our back yard that is female and have seen a male also. Great video.
When I was younger I did not know any better and Several I found as pets. I have most all of them still living in a fenced in area on my property designed to be like their natural surroundings. All the babies they have I keep for a year or two then release them. Now people that visit the nature park I released the men say they see them more than ever before, but I recommend most people do what they say in the video and just don't mess with them. These are truly awesome and intelligent animals.
I don't think it mentioned the low survival rate of hatchlings and low chance of mating due to low population. Only 1-2 turtles out of 100 fertile eggs make it to adulthood (about 6 years for sexual maturity which is a long time). Mating happens by chance meeting between opposite sexes which is rare. Box turtles are in decline. Please help these beautiful animals to flourish.
Tom smith? Dying with cancer
Extremly good! Very educationnal!
ive seen 63 this summer where i live in TN
Awesome! I have a 3 legged box turtle also. went to move him out of the road and his front leg was hanging on by a piece of skin. didn't want to leave him. he's definitely a cuddle bug now. you can always tell where he's going when he moves because his shell hits the floor when he walks.
I see them all the time here in NW Florida, mainly because I work outside all day
yeah, I live in coastal Alabama and I see them constantly
LouTube I think it's cool that you guys put where you are, so we can see where they are thriving, and in other comments, sadly are not.
When I was young, I came across a small turtle by the curve of a road next to the small whittle forest. There was a dd cup next to it so I used it to scoop the little bugger up and put them back onto the grass towards that whittle Forest.
with captive breeding the pet trade could be a boon to the turtle population. it worked on the Peregrine Falcon.
I looked up videos about box turtles cause I just found one underneath one of my bushes in my back yard and I live in Cincinnati haha. They are so cool to see I’ve probably found around 10 or so in my lifetime but I thought it was really great to see in my backyard. I figured I would just leave him go didn’t pick him up. I want it to feel safe to come back again sometime. I live on the edge of some woods in a suburban area. So it’s great to see they are hopefully doing well near me.
I have a captive bred box turtle and he floats. It's not the research that you asked for but it is personal experience. :)
Just saw one of these guys cruising around in my backyard with my binoculars. I was concerned he wouldn't be able to get out bc of the fence so I put him near an area that has a dug out portion from other animals so he could get out into the woods. Placed a strawberry down to hopefully coax him out, I'll go check in a while to make sure he gets back into the woods! Was so cool seeing one though.
i found 5 of these turtles all around me this weekend. but unfortunatly 4 were already dead. but the other one i took home and fed him and he is doing just fine. i was olanning on keeping him. and i wanted to know what there diet was more in detail so thanks i really liked the video. awesome job
I just spoke with a Naturalist. Box Turtles can float, but not well. They can indeed possibly drown. This naturalist was featured in the video and actually saved a drowning box turtle yesterday who was put into a deep lake.
Yeah, also take a look at their feet: are they webbed, or do they look like an aquatic turtle’s feet? No; they’re closer to a tortoise’s foot. Even some tortoises CAN float, or at least enjoy a shallow soak, but they are not physically capable of getting themselves out of a legitimate waterway that isn’t sloped on the sides and practically still water. Turtles & tortoises may be able to re-flip themselves when they’re on their backs, contrary to many people’s assumptions, but water is actually the place they may need help (if not an aquatic species).
The Box Turtle is a member of the American pond turtle family. It's sometimes called a Box Tortoise, but is not in the tortoise family.
Thanks for sharing
one summer in Maryland, I was sitting on my front stoop with my mom when a female box turtle arrived in our front garden and started digging a hole with her hind legs. It was amazing to watch her dig that hole. When she was done, she laid a clutch of eggs and then took a while to cover them up. I remember that she was missing all the claws on one of her front legs. She rested under some bushes for a while before heading back to wherever she came from. I was afraid that some predators would come and dig up her eggs, so I put a little terra cotta pot on top of them. I don't think they survived, but it was still an awesome experience
thanks. great small documentary :)
I just found an eastern box turtle in my backyard and right away Google it for the correct species. After I watched this video....... bingo... back to where I found it 😍😍. Hope more of them visit me, planting more wild berries.
I just watched a documentary on turtles...
BEST VIDEO EVER 😂🐢
Great Video!
The fact that you said you have kept box turtles all your life. Keeping them makes me think you are "keeping them;" not returning them. I am happy that you are returning them to the wild.
turtles are cute!!!!!!!!love them and some tell the govmernt
Been finding them since a kid this is trevor from martin Kentucky
Glad I found this video. I have found 6 of these in my back yard over the past 5 months. The ones I found were fairly young, as they were the size of a half dollar. My daughter found one on the front porch today. I think our cats put it there. I fed it some shrimp. It doesn't seem frightened of me at all. It ate out of my hand and seems quite comfortable to let me hold it. This one is slightly larger that the other 5 were. I drove the other ones to the State Forest nearby and turned them loose. I'm not sure if I should do that with this one as it seems almost like it could have been someone's pet they no longer wanted. I say that because it is so comfortable around me. Any ideas what I should do?
3:22 what a rad move!
I dont have the lamp hood light on very much but the heat rock is always on and I have used like 3 inches of soil and put some english moss over the whole thing like carpet and there are 3 good hiding holes for the turtle to go into and dig or w/e
One box turtle typically has a range of about a football field in the wild but are commonly known to roam for miles.
Where I live in silver spring MD, I have seen many of these turtles, I just observe and let them be.
I was fortunate to grow up in a small town with plentiful woods surrounding our home. Box Turtles were everywhere in those days. I was even able to find a female laying eggs at a neighbors. I was able to incubate 2 of the 3 eggs and I released the 2 hatchlings into the woods. 30 Years later all of the woods surrounding my old house have been cut down.
the way that guy snapped at 3:20 was 😩👌👌 damn daddddy💦
no but seriously this is very cool and interesting. i didnt know they could be where i live :0
This video is righteous.
I found some before when I was a little kid. last summer I found one on my drive way good thing I didn't keep it as a pet I just picked it up and put it in the woods
This was filmed in Cincinnati Ohio where i used to live. I used to cruise one of the major parks there and see these guys all the time. I would always pick them up out of the road when i saw them and put them wherever they were headed. I even had a pet box turtle at least twice in my life. I never knew they could forget their wild instincts. But it makes sense. Hope they make a strong comeback.
Humans, the ultimate invasive species.
Agreed
Taranturtle Yah. You earthlings must feel bad... Lol
Magus Yah. You earthlings must feel bad. Lol
Yeah and if you keep a turtle as a pet you're evil
@@jamesgentry13 same with a dog and a cat hmm?
I saved a box turtle it was was hit by a coal truck... years ago we took him home. Took him to the vet and survived for 5 years then passed away. I miss "lucky"Virginia Kidd.
theshark88
Thanks am thinking about buying a captive bred eastern box turtle. Its funny its native were i live.
Aquatic Highs I believe that's still saving him. Without his help, he wouldn't have even had the 5 years of life, and he was probably well taken care of.
Just saved one of these today here in bowling green Kentucky
I have three eastern box turtles that I keep as pets. One of them I caught when I was little. I didn't know better so I kept her. The second one (male) I caught a good while after the first. Again, I was still young and didn't know better. A family member recently gave me yet another box turtle (another female). I didn't know how long they had her captive so I (yet again) didn't let her go. They're all very healthy, happy, and active living in their outdoor pen. They get fed plenty, get all the sunlight/shade that they need as well as plenty of water. Their names are garnet, Ursula, and toki. (First two female, third male). I love my box turtles! I intend to take them to a breeder so I can at least give back to nature for taking the turtles out of their true home. Hopefully it goes well.
At least you're keeping them healthy and not releasing them. :) you can't undo your uneducated mistake of taking them, but you can avoid the mistake of releasing them.
Madeline Caton I have a friend that has one, and has had him for what he says over 20 years, and I don't believe he takes care of him very well. But this little guy, always seems to be pushing forward, although he rarely takes him out of the approx 5 foot tank he lives in with nothing but a box to provide shade, from the light bulb he gets light from, and bedding, and a bowl of water, and of course the bananas, blueberries, and strawberries he seems to live on. It always makes me sad for the turtle that I call Frankie :( But there is no telling this person anything about giving him a better life, by providing better living conditions. I wish that I could take him, I would spoil poor Frankie, like I do all of my babies :)
What state are you in? In Nj ive only seen them 3 or 4 times in 60 years
My mom found a eastern box turtle, she wanted to keep it as a pet but like she keeping it all wrong like it stay in cage and no setting temperature so I told my mom to release it after I watched this vid. Thx! 😊
5:04 where is this place? It's gorgeous
My friends would mark them with fingernail polish,put it in a spiral notebook. Sometimes one would be several years before it walked into the yard again. The numbers would be almost worn off .
thank you
save this vid haha... my baby loves turtles ! thank you
I live in Louisiana and work outside a good deal of the time. I have seen numerous box turtles out in the woods and that is why I was surprised to learn that they are endangered. I am sorry to hear that. I have noticed in north La box turtles have a domed shell whereas in south La the shell is more streamlined. I wonder if this is due to the abundance of wetlands in south La as opposed to north La which is more hilly and dry.
4?!? were they babies? that seems so rare.. i have actually had dreams with multiple ones around trees before. but to witness 4 at the same time is crazy! that is pretty cool.
I found one today was trying to cross the road almost run over him but he got lucky drove over him than I stopped and helped him to cross o almost make my mind to keep him as a pet but I didn't I hope I made the right choice to let him go
badass black german shepherd luka don’t keep them as pets if they are from the wild. please.
I found a male eastern box turtle earlier today (I live in southern maryland), I'm doing as much research as I can to make sure that it has a good life in captivity and not near the roads where he was found. I hope that I could breed him and keep the babies in the wild so that the natural population could be preserved
i had one as a kid. a family friend found it on the highway as a baby we took it in it wasnt for a year that we found out they are endangered. so we couldnt release it. she loved the water amazingly 65% of the time she swam we gave her worms mainly and crickets as well as feeder gold fish on occasion which she loved chasing. we had her about 10+ years when for no reason we know of passed away.
myth 1: "only males have red eyes". no, females can have red eyes too. It is uncommon but it does happen.
myth 2: "Box turtles can't swim". Eastern box turtles are at home in the water, can and do swim, and always stay close to water.
The ornate and 3 toes are still pretty common in Oklahoma. I grew up obsessed with turtles and probably destroyed a few ecosystems in my state from catching dozens of baby aquatics and box turtles from the areas I knew to find them in. In my teens I calmed down and learned to properly care for them and by my 20s I learned to enjoy leaving them in the wild more than catching them. I am lucky that my 6 acres naturally has box turtles roaming it I find several times a year. Hatchlings r a treasure
Awesome!
I used to see these guys slit as a kid, but they are scarce now.
they are so cute!
Box turtles tripping out on mushrooms, love it lol.
Over the years, in my travels in states like PA and down south, I have successfully rescued MANY turtles from the road, carried them to a place of safety and released them out of harm's way--and have taught others to do so. The hardest one was a large snapping turtle, vicious as hell...I gently slid a shovel under him; with my other hand on his back, and rescued him too--as he snapped wildly in the air! He still scared me, though I set free him in a creek.
i was on a secluded trail in nc near my home i saw three of them and helped them off the path in the direction he was going
I found a box turtle under my car this afternoon. Keeping it. And I see a whole shit tone of them at this beautiful park I go to in Georgia.
My sister found a female box turtle on the side of the rosd upside down. She thought it was dead but when she picked it up it moved, so know we keep her in a big kiddy pool. She is really friendly too.
We also found a male that was covered in fire ants. He is more skiddish but once you hold him for away you warms up to you.(We keep them in seprate places so they don't mate).
That's illegal, actually.
Madeline Caton From what I seen on another thread, it depends on the state in which you live. Someone mentioned that it was legal in their state, but I believe required a pet permit.
@@deluxesocks345 u should breed them
I had a box turtle for today I put him in a box and took him to work with me. im a pizza hut driver and when I got home I looked up what he was and found this vid so I let him go. I hope that 🐢 stays safe out there. 🐢
I have two box turtles and they are so cute
yeah, but how good was this creek?
My 88 year old father in law gave me his 40+ year old box turtle. I love when she looks side ways to see me and it's as though she is winking at me. She loves Fancy Feast Shrimp and tuna cat food, lettuce, strawberries. I went to pet store and bought turtle food but she won't eat it.
I have one that randomly pops up in my yard in the fall so cute and I leave it alone and love it from a distance. Lol I always have random creatures popping up in my yard between Bears, Lizards, Turtles, even a wood chuck that strolls through and eats the weeds and thankfully has enough to eat and stays out of my garden. Even the deer respectfully stay out of my garden so we ALL have this mutual respect with one another don't go next to my food and we won't ever have a problem there is more than enough native plants to feed everyone. 😄. Im very spiritual and into that metaphysical stuff so I always ask the loved ones on the other side to please keep the beautiful wild life out of my garden and it actually works there is this invisible barrier they refuse to cross especially the deer.. I live out in the woods so out here they aren't a nuisance vs the city where they will inhale ALL your plants on top of having like zero fear of humans.. 😑🤣🤣 City wild life will look right at you roll their eyes and carry on like F you I aint scared what are you gonna do about it??.. Lmfaoo