Box turtle, box turtle, please come out

By Aaron Horrell

Brumation is a state of inactivity experienced by the native three-toed box turtle in much of the U.S. Brumation is very similar to hibernation. Cold winters in southeast Missouri cause our box turtle to brumate as long as five months each year.

When daytime high temperatures are no more than about 45 degrees, this land turtle will dig a hole about 6 to 8 inches deep. Usually its hole will be in loose dirt along a log, rock or other secure place for safety and security from the cold windy environment above ground.

In the woods, fallen leaves further insulate and protect the turtle from predation. When springtime high temperatures reach about 60 degrees for several days, the box turtle will come out.

I took this photo on April 10. Three days later I went back to check on it. The turtle had left its winter home.

Looking to the northwest, this air view shows the town of Kelso, with St. Augustine Catholic Church and the school building in the center looming prominently in the photograph. Highway 61 is in the background. (G.D. Fronabarger ~ Southeast Missourian archive)