On a swing-set located in a suburban backyard, two little children, Lily and Aster, play. They have great adventures on their swing-set. Each day after school, time is spent with each other; often, they are joined by their wildlife friends.
There are bluebirds and cardinals and a black-capped chickadee. The robin dances on the ground looking for earth worms. A bumble bee’s bottom is all they can see with her nose so deep in the flower. But today was extra special. It was almost missed. Lily and Aster spied a box turtle (genus Terrapene) chomping her way through the compost pile.
The visiting box turtle was unmistakable, with her domed shell, hinged at the bottom.
This hinged bottom allows the box turtle to close herself off from predators. Lily and Aster remember reading on the internet about the box turtle’s life span lasting a average of 40 years. They wonder if this visiting box turtle has been in the garden all this time.
While Lily and Aster reel in delight, they bestow a name on their new wildlife friend, Boxy. They know a box turtle can easily be confused and not know where they are. They know not to touch the box turtle, remembering that even though they’re cute, they are a wild creature. Too much handling by humans and being re-located can cause too much stress for the box turtle.
When box turtles are young they eat meat. Their enhanced ability to see and smell, helps them find their favorite foods like snails, insects, fish and frogs. Aster worries about the frogs he has in the fountain basin, but Lily reminds him that life abounds, all around and Boxy needs to eat too.
When box turtles get older, they tend to eat more fruits, roots, and flowers. They also like tomatoes.
As Lily and Aster watch Boxy, they relish this time together. Even keeping a box turtle for a short period of time is not healthy for a box turtle. They understand and respect this. As with so many of their wildlife friends, their “pets” run and fly free in the garden. Each day bringing a surprise of who may stop by for a visit. As they run off to share the new of Boxy with their mom, Lily and Aster hope Boxy will be back tomorrow.
Book of Six© Six Garden Pest a Box Turtle Eats
Helen Yoest is a garden writer and coach through her business Gardening with Confidence™
Follow Helen on Twitter @HelenYoest and her facebook friend’s page, Helen Yoest or Gardening With Confidence™ Face Book Fan Page.
Helen also serves on the board of advisors for the JC Raulston Arboretum
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