This June, Plymouth resident Evelyn Thada came across an Eastern Box Turtle laying eggs on the trail at Memorial Forest. That same day, she installed a turtle nest protection box provided by the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund, which kept the eggs safe from digging raccoons.
Two hatchling Box Turtles recently emerged from the nest, joining the abundant adult population in the area. Unlike other turtles in Indiana, Box Turtles are terrestrial, living in mature forests.
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, "Box Turtles are long-lived, slow to mature and have few offspring per year. This, coupled with the high mortality rate of box turtles being hit on roads, has resulted in Eastern box turtles being a species of special concern in Indiana."
Box Turtles are protected by state law and it is illegal to collect them as pets. You can help Box Turtles in two primary ways: support efforts to maintain their forest habitat, and if you see one crossing the road, you may assist by moving it in the direction it was traveling.
Submitted by: Adam Thada, Board Member, Marshall County Park and Recreation Department President, Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund
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