Terrapene ornata
| Terrapene ornata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Comparison of T. ornata subspecies, T. o. ornata and T. o. luteola | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Family: | Emydidae |
| Genus: | Terrapene |
| Species: | T. ornata |
| Binomial name | |
| Terrapene ornata Agassiz, 1857 | |
Terrapene ornata is a species of North American box turtle sometimes referred to as the western box turtle or ornate box turtle.
Taxonomy
There are two subspecies of T. ornata:
- Ornate box turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata (Agassiz, 1857)
- Desert box turtle, Terrapene ornata luteola (Smith & Ramsey, 1952)
Description
T. ornata have a shell that is less domed than other species of box turtle, appearing to be slightly flattened. Their coloration is generally black or dark brown, with yellow striping. T. o. luteola tends to have more striping than T. o. ornata.
Range
T. ornata ornata is found in the central United States from western Indiana, to eastern Texas and into Louisiana. T. ornata luteola inhabits the driest areas of all the box turtle species, and is found in western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and adjoining areas of northern Mexico.
Conservation
In Indiana, the ornate box turtle is listed as an endangered species.[2]
Symbol
The species became the official state reptile of Kansas in 1986.[3][4]
References
- ↑ Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (1996). Terrapene ornata. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 09 May 2006.
- ↑ Indiana Legislative Services Agency (2011), "312 IAC 9-5-4: Endangered species of reptiles and amphibians", Indiana Administrative Code, retrieved 28 Apr 2012
- ↑ "2009-73-1901 Kansas Code patriotic emblems, state reptile, designation". Justia. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ Shearer 1994, p. 315
- Shearer, Benjamin F.; Shearer, Barbara S. (1994). State names, seals, flags, and symbols (2nd ed.). Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0-313-28862-3.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Terrapene ornata. |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Terrapene ornata |
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