Sex of ornate box turtle? Food?

KBeam

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I recently took in an ornate box turtle (with the proper permit for Illinois). I have two questions: 1. What sex is she? I’m thinking female, she is 4.25” plastron length, so I would think she’s close to full grown.

And, 2. She will only eat softened box turtle food, pumpkin purée and wet cat food. I’ve gone through the list of foods to try, but she just turns up her little beak. Not to mention that she acts scared of earth worms and crickets. I have switched her her to limited ingredient, grain free cat food. But would like to do better for her. IMG_5227.jpgIMG_5229.jpgIMG_5230.jpgIMG_5255.jpg
 

south12_9

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Chicago
The proper permit for Illinois for a Box OrnateTurtle???? I looked up the Illinois law on Turtles...
SUMMARY OF ILLINOIS TURTLE LAWS

1. Possession limit of legal native turtles is 8 (no more than 4 per taxa)
2. CB offspring, not intended for commercial purposes, are exempt from the possession limit for 90 days
3. It is unlawful to take, possess, transport, purchase, propogate, rehab more than 90 days or dispose of any Alligator Snapper (Macrochelys

temminckii), Illinois Mud (Kinosternon flavescens), Spotted (Clemmys guttata), River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna) or Blandings

(Emydoidea blandingii) without a permit even if legally acquired in another state.
4. There are no state requirements for a person possessing exotic species not defined as "dangerous animals."
 
Last edited:

KBeam

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2018
Messages
61
Location (City and/or State)
Central Illinois
The proper permit for Illinois for a Box OrnateTurtle???? I looked up the Illinois law on Turtles...
SUMMARY OF ILLINOIS TURTLE LAWS

1. Possession limit of legal native turtles is 8 (no more than 4 per taxa)
2. CB offspring, not intended for commercial purposes, are exempt from the possession limit for 90 days
3. It is unlawful to take, possess, transport, purchase, propogate, rehab more than 90 days or dispose of any Alligator Snapper (Macrochelys

temminckii), Illinois Mud (Kinosternon flavescens), Spotted (Clemmys guttata), River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna) or Blandings

(Emydoidea blandingii) without a permit even if legally acquired in another state.
4. There are no state requirements for a person possessing exotic species not defined as "dangerous animals."

Ornate box turtles are a threatened species in Illinois and do require a permit or you could face a steep fine. Scott Ballard is the state herpetologist. He’s very approachable and the permit is free, his email is [email protected]. You can also call the IL DNR and they will transfer you to him.
IMG_7955.jpg
 

south12_9

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Joined
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Messages
96
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago
Ornate box turtles are a threatened species in Illinois and do require a permit or you could face a steep fine. Scott Ballard is the state herpetologist. He’s very approachable and the permit is free, his email is [email protected]. You can also call the IL DNR and they will transfer you to him.
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Oh Wow thank you for the friendly information... On the InerWeb it doesn't say anything about this that I was able to look up & I even talk to a Cook County Fish and Game Warden ( Our local Forest Preserve police ).... And He Was No Help ether I See... My Question is what's the Threatened Turtle species list in Illinois.. or is it threatened turtle species in general..
 

KBeam

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2018
Messages
61
Location (City and/or State)
Central Illinois
Oh Wow thank you for the friendly information... On the InerWeb it doesn't say anything about this that I was able to look up & I even talk to a Cook County Fish and Game Warden ( Our local Forest Preserve police ).... And He Was No Help ether I See... My Question is what's the Threatened Turtle species list in Illinois.. or is it threatened turtle species in general..

In Illinois and Wisconsin I know for sure. Although similar laws are coming in other midwestern states. The law in Illinois is fairly recent, but your ornate has to born before 1973 to be grandfathered, which would be a really old ornate! But the permits are free and the application is online.
 

south12_9

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2015
Messages
96
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago
In Illinois and Wisconsin I know for sure. Although similar laws are coming in other midwestern states. The law in Illinois is fairly recent, but your ornate has to born before 1973 to be grandfathered, which would be a really old ornate! But the permits are free and the application is online.
Can you please give me the Web Address & is it called the Endangered and Threatened species permit...

Thank you
 
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