It is one of the principal distinguishing features of this species. Throat: They have red or orange extensible throat fans or dewlaps with a distinct white border. The females have a light-colored line running down their dorsal sides. Wikipedia Commons Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)Īppearence: Their color ranges from brown to gray with the backs marked with yellowish or pale white patterns. On average, each clutch can contain 1 - 9 eggs that range in size from 11 x 7 inches to 15 x 8 inches. The egg laying season occurs in the Spring and generally lasts from April to early June. While some species can produce only one clutch in a breeding season, these box turtles have been observed laying as many as four separate clutches in a single year. Reproduction: They reach sexual maturity around 12–13 years of age. They also consume leafy vegetation (shrubs, herb, grasses, etc.), insects, crustaceans, and fungi. Its most common food sources include gastropods and fleshy, low-hanging fruits. As a result, it exhibits longer annual activity than other box turtle species.ĭiet: They are generalist omnivore eaters. This is most likely due to the warm and stable temperatures throughout its Florida range. However, unlike other species of box turtle, the Florida box turtle does not actually enter a complete state of brumation (period of inactivity like hibernation in mammals) during this time of year. They exhibit higher levels of activity during the warm, wet months (April - October). During the dry, cool parts of the year (November - February) they enter a dormant stage and are inactive and difficult to find. Habitat: They are found in damp environments such as wetlands, marshlands, and near swamps but usually don't enter water deep enough to swim.īehavior: Like many other box turtle species, the Florida box turtle spends an extreme majority of its life (80-90%) buried in the underbrush or underground, and their activity varies significantly at different times of the year. Lifespan: 25-35 years but have been known to survive to over 100 years old! This is most likely to allow more space to accommodate eggs inside the body cavity. However, female carapaces tend to be taller than those of males. The carapace length of females ranges from 4.7 - 6.2 inches while the average male carapace can be anywhere from 5 - 6.8 inches long. Size: On average, males are larger (length and width) than females. This turtle has sharp claws as well as a sharp beak. The coloring of the plastron (the flat underside of the shell) can vary anywhere from solid yellow to solid black, with any number of variations in between. Its carapace has a distinct pattern of yellow stripes that make it easily identifiable. NPSGallery Florida Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)Īppeareance: The Florida box turtle is different in appearance from the other subspecies. Racers are faster than most other snakes, very agile, and generally flee when approached, often climbing into small trees or shrubs. At night and during cool weather they take refuge in burrows or under cover such as boards or tin. Habits: Black racers are only active during the daytime and are most active in warm weather. Reproduction: Racers mate in the spring, and females lay up to 36 eggs in early summer. In turn, they are preyed upon by a variety of predatory birds, mammals and other larger snakes. They eat a wide variety of prey including insects, lizards, snakes, birds, rodents, and amphibians. Moreover Black racers are found throughout the eastern U.S., from southern Maine to the Florida Keys.ĭiet: Racers hunt by sight and are often observed actively foraging during the day. Habitat: In our park they are found in the grass along the visitor center or parking lot. They are very quick which is why they have the name racer. Deso park Black Snake/Black Racer (Coluber constrictor)Īppearence: Long and slender, mostly black except for their belly, juveniles can appear more like a garter or corn snake.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |