Natural History of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata Agassiz

by John M. Legler

PLATE 25

Ontogenetic change and sexual dimorphism in shape, color, and markings of head and neck. Females retain much of the juvenal pattern of spots and blotches. In males, the top and sides of the head become greenish or bluish and markings are obscured.

Figs. 1 and 3. Lateral and dorsal views of hatchling (× 3½);

Figs. 2 and 4. Lateral and dorsal views of juvenile (× 2);

Figs. 5 and 6. Adult female (× 1);

Figs. 7 and 8. Adult male (× 1) showing relatively wider and more truncated snout in this sex.

PLATE 26

Fig. 1. A foraging station next to a rock fence at the Damm Farm (June 28, 1958). The box turtle in foreground was in the act of tearing apart a pile of partially dried cow dung to obtain dung insects.