After the female lays its eggs, it leaves the site and never returns to its hatchlings. Late hatchers may stay in the nest until spring. In the fall, the western box turtle will dig a shallow hole to hibernate in during the winter. The eastern box turtle, a subspecies of the common box turtle, has a dark brown, hinged shell with yellow-orange markings. After surviving infancy, the average life expectancy of an Ornate box turtle is around 35 years. The eggs hatch in 72 days, usually in late August through early September. Top Answer. The reptile’s carapace is dome-shaped and covers most of its body, and has ridges and furrows that develop with age. Western Box Turtle (Terrapene ornate, Agassiz 1857) – This species has less of a dome shape in its shell, causing it to look a bit flatter in appearance than other box turtles. Other popular pet turtle species, like African Sideneck Turtles and Map Turtles, are generally expected to live 25 years or more. The Florida Box Turtle is an attractive breed, but these animals are high-maintenance. Box Turtle Life Expectancy. The western ornate box turtle, with its soulful face, baleful eyes, clumsy gate, indiscriminate diet and reclusive habits, would scarcely seem infused with charm. Their shells have yellow stripes, and their faces and legs are speckled with yellow and brown. Box Turtle Lifespan. Florida Box Turtle General Info. Meanwhile, terrestrial box turtles, which are illegal to breed or keep as pets in more than 20 states, have a potential lifespan of up to 100 years, and an average longevity of 40 to 50 years in captivity. Eastern box turtles are one of the most commonly seen turtles in the wild. #19. We also feed Mazuri tortoise chow to our Eastern box turtles for sale, and they love it! In the wild, it is believed that a box turtle can live anywhere from 20-80 years. The female painted turtle covers the eggs with dirt and returns to the water, her job done. The baby turtles instinctively head straight for the water. Baby ornate box turtles are very similar to desert box turtles. Western Box Turtle Habitat. A great pet for beginners since they don’t grow large (not for young children though). Western box turtles live on prairies and in deserts, depending on subspecies. However, some specimen have been recorded to reach high ages of up to 70 years. These box turtle facts for kids can help get the younger members of your family interested and engaged to care for your new pet. It usually spends it whole life in a small area (less than a few acres). Lastly, we also have florida box turtles, gulf coast box turtles, chinese box turtle for sale and more. Native Habitat The … Geographic Range. When threatened, it can pull its … Box Turtle Shell Types Box turtles enjoying a suitable habitat and a healthy diet can live in excess of 50 years. Captive bred and raised box turtles seem to live even longer. In the fall, the western box turtle will dig a shallow hole to hibernate in during the winter. 25 to 30 years is the most common lifespan in captivity. Box turtles are long-lived reptiles. It has two subspecies, the Desert box turtle , and the ornate box turtle. Feed the right box turtle foods for sale. What is the lifespan for the western painted turtle? Eastern box turtles are one of the most commonly seen turtles in the wild. While the western ornate box turtle has become a coveted pet, a collected wild one will almost certainly fare poorly in captivity. The Western Ornate Box Turtle As a Pet. This means that from the day of their birth onwards, box turtle hatchlings in the wild are fighting for survival by themselves. Other popular pet turtle species, like African Sideneck Turtles and Map Turtles, are generally expected to live 25 years or more. The three-toed box turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis) is a subspecies within the genus of hinge-shelled turtles commonly referred to as box turtles.This subspecies is native to the south-central part of the United States and is the official reptile of the state of Missouri. In the wild, the western box turtle chiefly lives on insects, spiders, worms, carrion and berries. OUR DATA: We use the most recent data from these primary sources: AnAge, UMICH, Max Planck, PanTHERIA, Arkive, UKC, AKC. Wiki User August 25, 2012 5:44AM. Box Turtle Lifespan The reptile’s carapace is dome-shaped and covers most of its body, and has ridges and furrows that develop with age. It usually spends it whole life in a small area (less than few acres). Discover How Long Ornate box turtle Lives. They also range southward into parts of northwestern Mexico. The Florida Box Turtle is an attractive breed, but these animals are high-maintenance, so they aren’t the best idea for those who are beginners at turtle care. my son and I have kept one since 1988.