Habitat loss, poaching threaten the ancient reptile in Virginia The next time you see a turtle think of what life on earth might have been like 220 million years ago.
×
Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%FCE=6D 92G6 366? 2C@F?5 7@C E92E =@?8] %96J D2H 5:?@D2FCD 4@>6 2?5 8@j DFCG:G65 E96 x46 p86j 2?5 H:E9 E96:C 5:DE:?4E:G6 D96==D[ 92G6 5676?565 E96>D6=G6D 282:?DE 2 G2C:6EJ @7 AC652E@CD]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmp?5 H6 ?665 E96>] %FCE=6D 2C6 :>A@CE2?E :? 32=2?4:?8 64@DJDE6>D] %96J AC@E64E H2E6C BF2=:EJ 3J C6>@G:?8 92C>7F= 324E6C:2[ =:<6 5625 7:D9 2?5 2?:>2=D] %96J 4@?EC@= 2BF2E:4 G686E2E:@?j 4J4=6 ?FEC:6?EDj 2?5 4@?EC:3FE6 E@ ?6H A=2?E 8C@HE9 3J 5:DA6CD:?8 D665D] p 564=:?6 :? E96:C A@AF=2E:@? 42? D:8?2= AC@3=6>D 7@C H2E6C BF2=:EJ @C 923:E2E =@DD]k^Am
A box turtle crossing the road.
Photographer: Luke Christopher
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%@52J[ E96:C DFCG:G2= :D E9C62E6?65 2C@F?5 E96 H@C=5 2?5 96C6 :? ':C8:?:2] %96 AC:>2CJ 42FD6Di F?DFDE2:?23=6 – 2?5 @7E6? :==682= \\ 42AEFC6 2?5 =@DD @7 923:E2E]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“%FCE=6D 2C6 E9:D :?4C65:3=6 =6824J E@ E96 9:DE@CJ @7 ?2EFC6 @? 62CE9[” D2:5 %@> p<C6[ 2 $A6CCJG:==6 C6D:56?E[ H9@ :D 2 AC@8C2> D4:6?E:DE 2E E96 r@?D6CG2E:@? t4@=@8J r6?E6C 2E E96 $>:E9D@?:2?’D }2E:@?2= +@@ 2?5 r@?D6CG2E:@? q:@=@8J x?DE:EFE6 W}+rqxX :? uC@?E #@J2=] “%96J 92G6?’E 492?865 :? aa_ >:==:@? J62CD 2?5 2C6 ?@H E96 >@DE 6?52?86C65 8C@FA @7 G6CE63C2E6D @? @FC A=2?6E[ H:E9 e_ A6C46?E @7 DA64:6D E9C62E6?65[” 96 D2:5] “%FCE=6D 2C6 E96 >@DE EC2565 7@FC\=68865 2?:>2= 8C@FA :? E96 H@C=5[ 2?5 E92E :D 2 3:8 42FD6 7@C E96:C 564=:?6]”k^Am
“Turtles are this incredible legacy to the history of nature on earth. They haven’t changed in 220 million years...” — Tom Akre, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
By Luke Christopher for Foothills Forum
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmtIA2?5:?8 56G6=@A>6?E :? FC32? 2?5 CFC2= 2C62D 2=D@ E2<6D 2 E@==]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%2<6 E96 H@@5 EFCE=6[ 2 E9C62E6?65 DA64:6D :? ':C8:?:2] xE FD65 E@ C2?86 24C@DD }@CE96C? ':C8:?:2[ DEC6E49:?8 62DEH2C5 :?E@ u2:C72I r@F?EJ]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“&?7@CEF?2E6=J[ FC32? 56G6=@A>6?E 92D H:A65 @FE 2 =@E @7 E96 H@@5 EFCE=6’D 923:E2E[ 2?5 25G6CD6=J :>A24E65 DEC62> H2E6C BF2=:EJ] xED 923:E2E :D ?@H =:>:E65 E@ 2 76H 2C62D :? E96 ?@CE96C? !:65>@?E C68:@?[” D2:5 y] s] z=6@A76C[ DE2E6 96CA6E@=@8:DE 7@C E96 ':C8:?:2 s6A2CE>6?E @7 (:=5=:76 #6D@FC46D Ws(#X] “x 6DE:>2E6 E96 H@@5 EFCE=6 92D 5:D2AA62C65 7C@> d_T @7 :ED C2?86 96C6 :? ':C8:?:2]”k^Am
A male wood turtle
Jess Meck/Smithsonian Institution
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm(6E=2?5D 56DECF4E:@? 2=D@ :D AFEE:?8 AC6DDFC6 @? =@42= A@AF=2E:@?D @7 E96 DA@EE65 EFCE=6] xE :D =:DE65 2D 2 $A64:6D @7 vC62E6DE r@?D6CG2E:@? }665 W$vr}X 3J s(#] “q@E9 E96 H@@5 EFCE=6 2?5 E96 DA@EE65 EFCE=6 2C6 42?5:52E6 DA64:6D 7@C =:DE:?8 F?56C E96 7656C2= t?52?86C65 $A64:6D p4E[” p<C6 D2:5] “~?6 @7 @FC 8@2=D :D E@ 56G6=@A DE2E6\32D65 4@?D6CG2E:@? :?:E:2E:G6D E@ <66A E9@D6 DA64:6D @77 E92E =:DE]”k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmz=6@A76C H@CC:6D E@@ 23@FE E96 72E6 @7 2 E9:C5 DA64:6D :? 564=:?6 – E96 3@I EFCE=6] w6 D2:5i “%96J 2C6 G6CJ A@AF=2C 2D A6ED[ D@ @?6 @7 @FC @3;64E:G6D H:E9 E96 3@I EFCE=6 :D E@ DE@A E96 4@==64E:@? 7@C AC:G2E6 FD6 @C D2=6[ 2D H6== 2D C2:D:?8 86?6C2= 2H2C6?6DD 23@FE E96 :>A@CE2?46 @7 =62G:?8 EFCE=6D :? E96 H:=5]” k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmz=6@A76C?@E65 :E’D ?@H :==682= E@ A@DD6DD 3@I EFCE=6D E92E 2C6 ?2E:G6 E@ ':C8:?:2 @C @E96C EFCE=6D @? E96 $vr} =:DE[ F?=6DD E96 @H?6C C68:DE6C65 :ED A@DD6DD:@? EH@ J62CD 28@] %92E C68:DEC2E:@? AC@46DD :D ?@ =@?86C 24E:G6]k^Am
k9C ^m
k9b DEJ=6lQE6IE\2=:8?i 46?E6CjQ 5:ClQ=ECQmkDEC@?8mr@?D6CG2E:@? :?:E:2E:G6Dk^DEC@?8mk^9bm
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmp<C6 2?5 9:D E62> 2E }+rqx 92G6 366? A2J:?8 4=@D6 2EE6?E:@? E@ E96 H@@5 EFCE=6 2?5 E96 DA@EE65 EFCE=6 2?5 2=D@ 2C6 DFAA@CE:?8 E96 r=:7E@? x?DE:EFE6 :? (2CC6?E@?[ H9:49 C646?E=J =2F?4965 2 AC@8C2> @? 3@I EFCE=6D] q@E9 8C@FAD 4@@C5:?2E6 H:E9 2 C68:@?2= 4@?D6CG2E:@? :?:E:2E:G6 7@C 3@I EFCE=6D :? ':C8:?:2 2?5 E96 (2D9:?8E@?[ s]r] >6EC@ 2C62]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm}+rqx 4@?D6CG2E:@? C6D62C49 4@@C5:?2E@C[ y6DD |64<[ H9@ =:G6D ?62C |2DD:6’D r@C?6C[ DA6?5D 2 =@E @7 E:>6 :? E96 DEC62>D 2?5 7@C6DED @7 ':C8:?:2’D ?@CE96C? !:65>@?E 2?5 :? ?62C3J (6DE ':C8:?:2 =@@<:?8 7@C H@@5 EFCE=6D] “%9:D 2C62 :D 2E E96 D@FE96C? 6?5 @7 E96:C C2?86[ H9:49 DEC6E496D 2== E96 H2J E@ }@G2 $4@E:2[” D96 D2:5] “(@@5 EFCE=6D 2C6 @?6 @7 E96 >@DE 6?52?86C65 EFCE=6D :? }@CE9 p>6C:42[ E92E’D H9J :E :D :>A@CE2?E H6 4@==64E 52E2 @? 2D >2?J EFCE=6D 2D H6 42? 7:?5]”k^Am
k9C ^m
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmk6>mk6>mk6>mk6>mk6>mkDEC@?8mk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^=A]4@?DE2?E4@?E24EA286D]4@>^DF^vsEzApg^#2AA}6HDr`h&A52E6Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm$:8? FA 7@C #2AA }6HD s2:=J[ 2 7C66 ?6HD=6EE6C 56=:G6C65 E@ J@FC 6>2:= :?3@I 6G6CJ >@C?:?8]k^2mk^DEC@?8mk^6>mk^6>mk^6>mk^6>mk^6>mk^Am
k9C ^m
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmq642FD6 H@@5 EFCE=6D 2C6 92C5 E@ 7:?5[ }+qrx C6D62C496CD FD6 2 ?6H E649?@=@8J – 6s}p – E@ =@42E6 ?6H EFCE=6 A@AF=2E:@?D :? E96 H:=5] 6s}p E6DED H2E6C D2>A=6D 7@C 6G:56?46 @7 s}p =67E 369:?5 3J EFCE=6D[ >2<:?8 :E 62D:6C 2?5 =6DD 6IA6?D:G6 E@ 7:?5 E96>] |@?:E@C:?8 2?5 EC24<:?8 2=D@ 2C6 FD65 E@ 7@==@H EFCE=6 >@G6>6?ED]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm(@@5 EFCE=6D 42? =:G6 7@C g_ J62CD[ 3FE E96J 5@?’E C6249 D6IF2= >2EFC:EJ F?E:= E96:C 62C=J E66?D] v:G6? =@H 688 2?5 92E49=:?8 DFCG:G2=[ EFCE=6D 42? E2<6 564256D E@ C6A=246 E96>D6=G6D[ 2?5 5:DEFC32?46D E@ E96:C 6?G:C@?>6?E[ :?4=F5:?8 C6>@G2= @7 3C665:?8 25F=ED[ C65F46 E96:C A@AF=2E:@?D] %96 2G6C286 86?6C2E:@?2= 2865:776C6?4636EH66? 25F=E H@@5 EFCE=6D 2?5 @77DAC:?8 92D 366? 6DE:>2E65 2E cf J62CD] u@C 9F>2?D E96 2G6C286 :D 2C@F?5 ad J62CD]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm|64< 2?5 96C 2DD@4:2E6D D62C49 7@C 962=E9J 3C665:?8 A@AF=2E:@?D @7 2== 286D 2?5 D:K6D] “~FC DFCG6JD 8:G6 FD 2 8@@5 :562 23@FE E96 DFDE2:?23:=:EJ @7 2 =@42= A@AF=2E:@?[ 96=A E@ :56?E:7J 4C:E:42= 923:E2E[ 2?5 E@ 56G6=@A 4@?D6CG2E:@? DEC2E68:6D E@ 6?DFC6 E96:C DFCG:G2=[” D96 D2:5] k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 r=:7E@? x?DE:EFE6’D 3@I EFCE=6 AC@;64E[ =2F?4965 :? a_aa[ 7@4FD6D @? :56?E:7J:?8 H96? E96 EFCE=6D 2C6 >@DE =:<6=J E@ FD6 @A6? 7:6=5D E92E 2C6 >2?2865 3J >@H:?8] k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“pD A2CE @7 :ED >:DD:@?[ E96 :?DE:EFE6 C64@>>6?5D 36DE >2?286>6?E AC24E:46D 7@C 8C2DD=2?5 2?5 D9CF3=2?5 C6DE@C2E:@? 2?5 >@H:?8 :D @?6 @7 E9@D6 AC24E:46D[” D2:5 p?5C6H t36C=J[ 2 923:E2E DA64:2=:DE 7@C E96 x?DE:EFE6] “q@I EFCE=6D @7E6? @44FAJ @A6? =2?5D 2?5 2C6 D=@H >@G:?8[ >2<:?8 E96> GF=?6C23=6 E@ 92J:?8 2?5 3FD9 4=62C:?8] (6 H2?E E@ 2G@:5 @C 6=:>:?2E6 EFCE=6 >@CE2=:EJ]”k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%9:D J62C[ E96 :?DE:EFE6 :D 6IA2?5:?8 :ED C6D62C49 AC@;64E E@ 7:6=5D @? D6G6C2= AC@A6CE:6D :? #2AA292??@4< r@F?EJ] t36C=J A=2?D E@ 7:E 3@I EFCE=6D H:E9 C25:@ EC2?D>:EE6CD E@ >@?:E@C E96:C >@G6>6?ED] “(6 H:== 36 =@@<:?8 2E H92E 923:E2ED E96J AC676C[ H96? E96J 2C6 FD:?8 E96 7:6=5D[ 2?5 @E96C 724E@CD DF49 2D H62E96C 4@?5:E:@?D 2?5 D@:= EJA6D] (6 9@A6 E96 52E2 H:== 6?23=6 FD E@ :?7@C> =2?5@H?6CD H96? 2?5 H96C6 E@ >@H E@ 36DE 2G@:5 3@I EFCE=6D[” 96 D2:5]k^Am
k9C ^m
k9b DEJ=6lQE6IE\2=:8?i 46?E6CjQ 5:ClQ=ECQmkDEC@?8m%FCE=6 EC277:4<:?8k^DEC@?8mk^9bm
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%FCE=6D 2?5 E@CE@:D6D 2C6 2>@?8 E96 >@DE E9C62E6?65 G6CE63C2E6D :? E96 H@C=5 H:E9 @G6C e_T @7 DA64:6D =:DE65 2D rC:E:42==J t?52?86C65[ t?52?86C65 @C 'F=?6C23=6 @? E96 x?E6C?2E:@?2= &?:@? 7@C E96 r@?D6CG2E:@? @7 }2EFC6VD Wx&r}X #65 {:DE] p <6J 724E@C 5C:G:?8 E92E A@AF=2E:@? 564=:?6 :D E96 8=@32= EC256 @7 H:=5 EFCE=6D 7@C A6ED[ 7@@5[ >65:4:?6D[ 2?5 4F=EFC2= FD6D]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“xE :D 2 4C:D:D D46?2C:@ @? E96 ?2E:@?2= =6G6=[” D2:5 $4@EE qF492?2?[ E96 DE2E6 96CA6E@=@8:DE 7@C #9@56 xD=2?5’D s6A2CE>6?E @7 t?G:C@?>6?E2= |2?286>6?E] qF492?2? 2=D@ 4@\492:CD E96 r@==23@C2E:G6 E@ r@>32E x==682= %C256 :? %FCE=6D Wrrx%%X[ 2 ?2E:@?H:56 8C@FA >256 FA @7 8@G6C?>6?E 3:@=@8:DED[ =2H 6?7@C46>6?E 286?4:6D[ 2?5 ?@?AC@7:E 8C@FAD 7@4FD65 @? 6=:>:?2E:?8 E96 :==682= 4@==64E:@? 2?5 EC256 @7 }@CE9 p>6C:42’D ?2E:G6 EFCE=6D]k^Am
How turtles evolved over 2.6 million years.
By Maxwell Earle via Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm}@ @?6 <?@HD E96 ?F>36C @7 EFCE=6D D?2E4965 :==682==J :? E96 &]$][ 3FE 6IA6CED D2J :E 4@F=5 36 E6?D @7 E9@FD2?5D 2 J62C] k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“%2<:?8 ;FDE 2 D>2== ?F>36C @7 25F=ED 7C@> 2 =@42= A@AF=2E:@? @7 EFCE=6D C6>@G6D C6AC@5F4E:G6 A@E6?E:2= E92E 42? =625 E@ 2? :>>65:2E6 4C2D9 @7 E92E A@AF=2E:@?] %96J D:>A=J 42?’E C6AC@5F46 72DE 6?@F89 E@ >2<6 FA 7@C 25F=ED E92E H6C6 E2<6?[” D2:5 qF492?2?]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%FCE=6D :==682==J E2<6? :? E96 &]$] 2C6 D@=5 96C6 2?5 :? tFC@A6[ 3FE AC:>2C:=J E@ >2C<6ED :? $@FE962DE pD:2 2?5 r9:?2 H96C6 H:=5 EFCE=6 A@AF=2E:@?D 92G6 366? 564:>2E65 @G6C A2DE 564256D]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“%FCE=6D 2C6 D@F89E 27E6C AC:>2C:=J 7@C E96 A6E EC256 2?5 E96 56>2?5 :D C6=6?E=6DD[ 6DA64:2==J 7@C }@CE9 p>6C:42? EFCE=6D[” D2:5 qF492?2?]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm(9J E92E 9:89 56>2?5n qF492?2? 6BF2E65 :E E@ 4@==64E:?8 32D632== 42C5D] “*@F H2?E E96 36DE 42C5D[ D9@H @77 J@FC 4@==64E:@?[ 2?5 D6== E96> 7@C E96 >@DE >@?6J]”k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmp A2E49H@C< @7 DE2E6 =2HD H:E9 5:776C6?E C68F=2E:@?D 2?5 6?7@C46>6?E A6?2=E:6D 4C62E6D =@@A9@=6D 7@C EC277:4<6CD 2?5 >2<6D C68:@?2= 6?7@C46>6?E 677@CED 5:77:4F=E] !@2496CD 42? =682==J E2<6 EFCE=6D :? @?6 DE2E6 2?5 D6== E96> :? 2 ?6:893@C:?8 DE2E6 H96C6 E96:C A@DD6DD:@? :D :==682=] x? D@>6 DE2E6D 7:?6D 2?5 A6?2=E:6D 2C6 >@56DE] “%96 7:?2?4:2= C6H2C5 :D 9:89 2?5 E96 C:D<D @7 86EE:?8 42F89E 2?5 A2J:?8 2 3:8 7:?6[ @C 8@:?8 E@ ;2:=[ 2C6 =@H[” D2:5 |64<] k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%FCE=6D >@DE E9C62E6?65 3J A@249:?8 :? ':C8:?:2 :?4=F56 E96 ?@CE96C? 5:2>@?5\324<65 E6CC2A:?[ H@@5 EFCE=6[ DA@EE65 EFCE=6[ H@@5=2?5 3@I EFCE=6[ 5:2>@?5\324<65 E6CC2A:? EFCE=6[ 2?5 E96 3@8 EFCE=6]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%@ 2G@:5 E:AA:?8 @77 A@2496CD[ H:=5=:76 3:@=@8:DED 2?5 6?7@C46>6?E @77:4:2=D :?E6CG:6H65 7@C E9:D DE@CJ 564=:?65 E@ 8:G6 :?7@C>2E:@? 23@FE E96 2C62D H96C6 GF=?6C23=6 EFCE=6 A@AF=2E:@?D 6I:DE[ DA64:6D E92E 2C6 >@DE D@F89E 27E6C 3J 4@==64E@CD 2?5 A@2496CD[ 2?5 E96 AC:46D D@>6 DA64:6D 42? 76E49 @? E96 :==682= >2C<6E]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmp 4@FCE 42D6 =2DE J62C :? }@CE9 r2C@=:?2 :==FDEC2E6D E96 9F86 AC@7:ED E92E 42? 36 >256 7C@> A@249:?8] x? E9:D 42D6 E96 A@2496C H2D 4@?G:4E65[ F?56C E96 {246J p4E[ :? 7656C2= 4@FCE @7 EC277:4<:?8 2E =62DE faa 62DE6C? 3@I EFCE=6D[ `aa DA@EE65 EFCE=6D 2?5 E9C66 H@@5 EFCE=6D] w6 A6CD@?2==J C646:G65 2E =62DE S`a`[___ :? A2J>6?E 7@C E9@D6 EFCE=6D] %96:C >2C<6E G2=F6 :? pD:2 6I466565 S`]d >:==:@?] w6 H2D 7:?65 Sad[___ 2?5 D6?E6?465 E@ `g >@?E9D :? AC:D@?]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmp BF:4< D62C49 @? E96 H63A286[ “p>6C:42? #6AE:=6 s:DEC:3FE@CD[” =:DED EFCE=6D[ :?4=F5:?8 DA@EE65 2?5 3@I EFCE=6D[ “42AE:G6 3@C?” 2?5 “7:6=5 4@==64E65” H:E9 AC:46D FA E@ E9@FD2?5D @7 5@==2CD] %96 H63D:E6 :?4=F56D 2 5:D4=2:>6C 42FE:@?:?8 G:D:E@CD ?@E E@ “2EE6>AE E@ @C56C 2?:>2=D H9:49 2C6 :==682= :? J@FC DE2E6 2?5 H9:49 J@F 5@ ?@E 9@=5 2 A6C>:E 7@C]” k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“xE :D 2 C62= AC@3=6> :? ':C8:?:2[ 6DA64:2==J H:E9 E96 25G6?E @7 D@4:2= >65:2 H96C6 2 =@E @7 7@=<D 2C6 EC25:?8 EFCE=6D 24C@DD DE2E6 =:?6D :? E96 G:CEF2= DA246[” D2:5 2 DA64:2= 286?E H:E9 E96 ':C8:?:2 s(#[ H9@ 2D<65 ?@E E@ 36 :56?E:7:65 3642FD6 96 A2CE:4:A2E6D :? 2 DA64:2= AC@8C2> :?G6DE:82E:?8 :==682= EC256 :? C6AE:=6D 2?5 2>A9:3:2?D] “!@2496CD H9@ 6?8286 :? :==682= EFCE=6 EC277:4<:?8 EC@== @?=:?6 7@C 3FJ6CD @C E2A :?E@ 6I:DE:?8 ?6EH@C<D] |2?J EFCE=6D 2C6 D@=5 E@ =68:E:>2E6 5:DEC:3FE@CD 2?5 A6E DE@C6D 2D 42AE:G6\3C65 H96? :? 724E E96J 92G6 366? E2<6? 7C@> E96 H:=5[” 96 D2:5] k^Am
k9C ^m
k9b DEJ=6lQE6IE\2=:8?i 46?E6CjQ 5:ClQ=ECQmkDEC@?8m}@ A=246 E@ 8@k^DEC@?8mk^9bm
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm(92E 92AA6?D E@ EFCE=6D C64@G6C65 5FC:?8 6?7@C46>6?E 24E:@?Dnk^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 s(# DA64:2= 286?E D2:5 E96J D@>6E:>6D C64@G6C 2 EC6>6?5@FD ?F>36C @7 EFCE=6D :? 2 D9@CE A6C:@5 @7 E:>6] “u:?5:?8 9@FD:?8 7@C E96>[ H96C6 E96J 42? 36 AC@A6C=J 42C65 7@C :D AC6EEJ 5:77:4F=E[” 96 D2:5] “p =@E @7 E96D6 C64@G6C65 EFCE=6D 2C6 :? AC6EEJ 325 D92A6 2?5 7:?5:?8 AC@A6C=J EC2:?65 :?5:G:5F2=D E@ 42C6 7@C E96> :D 492==6?8:?8]” k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm}+rqx C6D62C496CD 2C6 56G6=@A:?8 2 AC@8C2> E@ 42C6 7@C C64@G6C65 EFCE=6D] “(6 2C6 :? 62C=J 52JD[ 3FE :E :D A@DD:3=6 E96 }+rqx 4@F=5 AC@G:56 42A24:EJ 7@C E96D6 4@?7:D42E:@?D @7 C2C6 2?5 E9C62E6?65 EFCE=6D :? E96 &]$]” D2:5 p<C6] k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmw6 7FCE96C 6IA=2:?65 E92E 2 7F==J DE27765 C646:G:?8 46?E6C 4@F=5 =625 E@ :?4C62D65 4@?7:D42E:@?D] “p?645@E2==J[ H6 92G6 962C5 7C@> =2H 6?7@C46>6?E E92E E96J D@>6E:>6D 5@?’E :?E6C5:4E 3642FD6 E96C6 :D ?@H96C6 E@ AFE E96 2?:>2=D E96J C6EC:6G6[ @C H96C6 E96J AFE E96> :D D6C:@FD=J :?DF77:4:6?E]” k^Am
k9C ^m
k9b DEJ=6lQE6IE\2=:8?i 46?E6CjQ 5:ClQ=ECQmkDEC@?8mw@H 23@FE EFCE=6D 2D F?H2?E65 A6EDnk^DEC@?8mk^9bm
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“p =@E @7 A6@A=6 5@?’E F?56CDE2?5 H92E E96J 2C6 86EE:?8 :?E@ H96? E96J A:4< FA 2 EFCE=6 2?5 3C:?8 :E 9@>6[” D2:5 z=6@A76C] “%FCE=6D 2C6 6IEC6>6=J =@?8\=:G65[ ?@E E96 62D:6DE A6ED E@ <66A[ 2?5 @?46 J@F 3C:?8 E96> :?E@ 42AE:G:EJ 7@C 2? 6IE6?565 A6C:@5 J@F 42?’E ;FDE 5F>A E96> D@>6H96C6 2D E96J 92G6 =:EE=6 492?46 @7 DFCG:G2=] xE :D :?9F>2?6 2?5 F?6E9:42=]”k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmz=6@A76C’D @77:46 @7E6? :D 7=@@565 H:E9 :?BF:C:6D 7C@> A6@A=6 H9@ ?@ =@?86C H2?E E@ <66A E96:C A6E EFCE=6D] “x 42?’E E6== J@F 9@H >2?J A9@?6 42==D 2?5 6>2:=D @FC 286?4J 86ED 7C@> A6@A=6 H9@ H2?E E@ F?=@25 F?H2?E65 A6E EFCE=6D] %96C6 2C6 D@ >2?J @FE E96C6 E92E C6D4F6 D96=E6CD[ K@@D[ 2BF2C:F>D[ 2?5 @E96C A=246D H@?’E E2<6 E96>] k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“(6 DEC@?8=J FC86 A6@A=6 E@ =62G6 H:=5 2?:>2=D :? E96 H:=5 2?5 <?@H H92E J@F 2C6 86EE:?8 :?E@ H96? J@F 3FJ 2? 2?:>2= 2E 2 A6E DE@C6] x7 J@F 5@ 3FJ 2 EFCE=6 7C@> 2 A6E DE@C6[ G6C:7J E92E :E :D 42AE:G6 3C65 2?5 ?@E 4@==64E65 7C@> E96 H:=5]”k^Am
An eastern box turtle
Jess Meck/Smithsonian Institution
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm~G6C E96 A2DE 76H J62CD[ E96 #2AA292??@4< }2EFC6 r2>A 92D D9:7E65 :ED 7@4FD 7C@> 92?5=:?8 C6AE:=6D 2?5 2>A9:3:2?D E@ @3D6CG:?8 E96>] “xE’D >F49 36EE6C E@ =62G6 EFCE=6D 2?5 @E96C 2?:>2=D 2=@?6 :? E96 H:=5[” D2:5 $A6CCJG:==6 C6D:56?E[ #2496= qJ?F>[ E96 42>A’D 5:C64E@C] “z:5D 2C6 2EEC24E65 E@ EFCE=6D 2?5 E96J 92G6 2 ?2EFC2= :?4=:?2E:@? E@ A:4< E96> FA] (6 E6249 E96> E92E J@F 42? =62C? >@C6 23@FE 2?:>2=D E9C@F89 @3D6CG2E:@? E92? 92?5=:?8]” k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmp<C6 42CC:65 9:D 49:=59@@5 72D4:?2E:@? H:E9 EFCE=6D :?E@ 2 42C66C :? 3:@=@8J 2?5 H:=5=:76 4@?D6CG2E:@? 2?5 :D A2DD:@?2E6 23@FE 9:D >:DD:@? E@ D2G6 }@CE9 p>6C:42’D E9C62E6?65 EFCE=6 A@AF=2E:@?D]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“%96 &?:E65 $E2E6D :D E96 =6256C :? E96 H@C=5 :? E6C>D @7 EFCE=6 5:G6CD:EJ[” 96 D2:5] “%@52J[ EFCE=6D 2C6 4@>>@?A=246 E@ FD[ 3FE :7 E96J 3642>6 6IE:?4E[ E96J H@F=5 36 2 42FD6 7@C H@?56C] (6 2C6 =@D:?8 2? :>A@CE2?E A2CE @7 @FC ?2EFC2= 96C:E286 H:E9 E96 564=:?6 @7 EFCE=6 DA64:6D[ A2CE:4F=2C=J E@ 2 A@:?E H96C6 E96 =@DD >:89E 36 :CC6G6CD:3=6] (6 42?’E =6E E92E 92AA6?]”k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmqJ q@3 wFC=6J 7@C k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^7@@E9:==D\7@CF>]@C8^Qmu@@E9:==D u@CF>k^2mk^Am
k9C ^m
k9b DEJ=6lQE6IE\2=:8?i 46?E6CjQ 5:ClQ=ECQmw@H *@F r2? w6=Ak^9bm
kF=mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDEC@?8mz?@H E96 =2Hik^DEC@?8m xE :D :==682= E@ A@DD6DD EFCE=6D 56D:8?2E65 2D $A64:6D @7 vC62E6DE r@?D6CG2E:@? }665 :? ':C8:?:2UCDBF@jD a_`d (:=5=:76 p4E:@? !=2?] u@C DA64:6D E92E 2C6 ?@E @? E92E =:DE[ 6I46AE 7@C D?2AA:?8 EFCE=6D[ @?6 ?2E:G6 @C ?2EFC2=:K65 DA64:6D A6C 9@FD69@=5 >2J 36 <6AE 7@C AC:G2E6 FD6 3FE ?@E 7@C D2=6 @C 6IA@CE] u@C >@C6 :?7@C>2E:@? G:D:E E96 ':C8:?:2 s6A2CE>6?E @7 (:=5=:76 H63D:E6 2E k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^5HC]G:C8:?:2]8@G^H:=5=:76^?F:D2?46^EFCE=6D^Qm9EEADi^^5HC]G:C8:?:2]8@G^H:=5=:76^?F:D2?46^EFCE=6D^k^2mk^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDEC@?8m{62G6 :E 2=@?6ik^DEC@?8m p5F=E EFCE=6D 92G6 H6== 567:?65 9@>6 C2?86D] #6=@42E:?8 E96> H:== 5:D@C:6?E E96> 2?5 6IA@D6 E96> E@ AC652E@CD 2?5 @E96C 92K2C5D] |2?J EFCE=6D >@G:?8 23@FE :? E96 DAC:?8 2C6 76>2=6D H:E9 688D D62C49:?8 7@C 2 DF:E23=6 ?6DE D:E6] !:4<:?8 E96> FA 2?5 E2<:?8 E96> 9@>6 ?@E @?=J C6>@G6D 2? 25F=E 7C@> E96 A@AF=2E:@?[ 3FE 96C 323:6D 2D H6==]U?3DAjk^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDEC@?8m#@25 >@CE2=:EJik^DEC@?8m x7 2 EFCE=6 ?665D E@ 36 >@G65 @FE @7 92C>UCDBF@jD H2J[ A=246 :E @? E96 D:56 @7 E96 C@25[ 724:?8 :? E96 5:C64E:@? :E H2D EC2G6=:?8]U?3DAjk^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDEC@?8m!C6G6?E A@249:?8ik^DEC@?8m q6 42FE:@FD @7 :?5:G:5F2=D J@F >2J 6?4@F?E6C @? DE2E6 2?5 7656C2= =2?5D H9@ 2C6 42CCJ:?8 :E6>D E92E 4@F=5 36 FD65 E@ 42AEFC6 2?5 9@=5 2?:>2=D] x7 J@F ?@E:46 DFDA:4:@FD 3692G:@C @C D@>6@?6 :==682==J 4@==64E:?8[ @C A@DD6DD:?8 EFCE=6D[ 4@?E24E E96 s(# (:=5=:76 rC:>6 {:?6 W`\g__\abf\df`a @C k2 9C67lQ>2:=E@i(:=5rC:>6o5HCQm(:=5rC:>6o5HCk^2m] k2 9C67lQ9EEAi^^G:C8:?:2]8@GQmG:C8:?:2]8@Gk^2mX] s@ ?@E A@DE E96 =@42E:@? @7 AC@E64E65 EFCE=6D @? D@4:2= >65:2] !@2496CD FD6 2AAD E@ 7:?5 E96>]k^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDEC@?8m}@ =@?86C H2?E65ik^DEC@?8m %96C6 2C6 DEC:4E C68F=2E:@?D 23@FE C6=62D:?8 2 H:=5\42F89EU?3DAj EFCE=6 324< :?E@ E96 H:=5] }6G6C C6=62D6 2 ?@??2E:G6 @C DE@C6\3@F89E EFCE=6 :?E@ E96 H:=5] u:?5:?8 2 9@>6 7@C 2 A6E EFCE=6 42? 36 5:77:4F=E] r964< =@42= ?2EFC6 46?E6CD @C ':C8:?:2 #6AE:=6 #6D4F6 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^C6AE:=6]C6D4F6>6]@C8^':C8:?:2Qm9EEADi^^C6AE:=6]C6D4F6>6]@C8^':C8:?:2k^2mU?3DAj 7@C @AE:@?D]k^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmk6>mx7 J@F 2C6 :?E6C6DE65 :? @H?:?8 2 A6E EFCE=6[ 96C6 2C6 2 76H 96=A7F= 9:?EDik^6>mk^=:mkF=mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQm}6G6C E2<6 9@>6 2 H:=5 EFCE=6k^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQm~?=J AFC492D6 42AE:G6\3C65 EFCE=6D 7C@> 2 C6=:23=6 D@FC46k^Amk^=:mk=: 5:ClQ=ECQmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmz?@H E96 =:76 9:DE@CJ 2?5 9FD32?5CJ C6BF:C6>6?ED @7 E96 EFCE=6 J@F 2C6 E9:?<:?8 23@FE @3E2:?:?8] $@>6 DA64:6D 42? =:G6 >@C6 E92? `__ J62CD 2?5 92G6 G6CJ DA64:7:4 ?665D]k^Amk^=:mk^F=mk^F=m
k9C ^m
k5:G 4=2DDlQDF3D4C:36C\@?=JQmkAmk6>mkDEC@?8mu@@E9:==D u@CF>k^DEC@?8m :D 2? :?56A6?56?E[ 4@>>F?:EJ\DFAA@CE65 ?@?AC@7:E E24<=:?8 E96 ?665 7@C :?\56AE9 C6D62C49 2?5 C6A@CE:?8 @? #2AA292??@4< r@F?EJ :DDF6D]k^6>mk^AmkAmk6>m%96 8C@FA 92D 2? 28C66>6?E H:E9 #2AA292??@4< |65:2[ @H?6C @7 E96 #2AA292??@4< }6HD[ E@ AC6D6?E E9:D D6C:6D 2?5 @E96C 2H2C5\H:??:?8 C6A@CE:?8 AC@;64ED] |@C6 2E k2 9C67lQ9EEAi^^7@@E9:==D7@CF>]@C8Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmkDEC@?8m7@@E9:==D7@CF>]@C8k^DEC@?8mk^2m]k^6>mk^Amk^5:Gm
k9C ^m
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm k^Am
