Today I decided to take a walk in the woods on Corp. property (US Corp of Engineers) located along the Cumberland River in Wilson County, Tennessee. This property was previously used as an girl scout camp but has recently been "returned" to its natural environment. It is a wonderful place to walk and converse with nature.
My adventure took me down many well taken paths and a few not so well taken. I ran across many interesting things - but what I had the most fun with was a Box Turtle (Terrapene Carolina), that I almost stepped on because he was camouflaged so well with the fallen leaves.
American Box Turtle are largely characterized by their dome shaped shell and hinge on the underside of the shell, which allows them to close their shell tightly to escape from predators. The average life span of a ABT is around 80 years in the wild, but some have been known to live for over 100 years. You can roughly tell the age of a ABT by counting the growth rings on the scutes (the bony external plate or scale.)
I think this guy is about 12 years old.
You can tell if its a male or female by looking at the underside of its shell. Females have flat or convex shells, where the male has a concave shell. The male turtles are usually longer and flatter and more colorful, with red eyes. The female has less vibrant color and usually have brown or yellowish eye.
After walking around on the trails a little longer, I returned to Mr. B - he was again hiding in the leaves hoping I would not notice him. But I had to get a few more picture of this young male and then left him to continue my stroll in the woods. I think he was very glad to say good-bye and think he might have waved at me as I headed down the path far far away from him.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful experience in nature! Your encounter with the Box Turtle sounds fascinating, especially the details about its characteristics. Walking in the woods can be so rejuvenating. It reminds me of the serenity one can find while using the Wink Mod APK, which enhances your creative adventures. Keep exploring and sharing these wonderful moments!
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ReplyDeleteNature truly offers some of the most delightful experiences! Your encounter with the Box Turtle sounds captivating, and the way you described its unique characteristics is fascinating. Strolling through the woods can indeed be a refreshing and serene escape. It’s moments like these that remind me of the creative spark enhanced by tools like the Wink APK, which can add an extra layer of joy to your adventures. Keep embracing and sharing these beautiful moments
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely account of your walk in the woods! Your detailed observation of the Box Turtle, including its shell structure, age estimation, and gender differences, was truly fascinating and a delightful reminder of nature's wonders. It’s inspiring to see how much we can learn by simply taking the time to observe the world around us. By the way, if you’re an anime fan, consider exploring Crunchyroll Mod APK for premium features like ad-free streaming and offline downloads—perfect for unwinding after a refreshing nature walk.
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