PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status Animal Group

Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata)

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Photo by A.B. Sheldon

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata), listed as Endangered in Wisconsin, prefers mesic prairies, dry-mesic prairies, sand prairies, oak savannas, and open to semi-open woodlands. They overwinter in deep sand and/or well drained soils in open canopy microhabitats supporting sparse vegetation and in areas of disturbed soils such as the edges of sand blows. Ornate box turtles may be active from early-March through mid-November. They nest in early-June and young typically hatch in August or early-September, although some hatchlings emerge the following spring. See the species guidance document for avoidance measures and management guidance from the Natural Heritage Conservation Program.

 
 
 

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.