Young Three-toed Box Turtle at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

Young Three-toed Box Turtle at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/500, ISO 1250, +0.3 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500m, natural light

Earlier this week I found a young Three-toed Box Turtle crossing a gravel road while I was driving the auto tour route at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.

I haven’t been having much luck photographing these box turtles so far this year because they have either been in deep shade or have been wet and way too shiny in bright sunlight.

Even though I had poor light for photography the day I had this one in my viewfinder, I decided to take photos of the little cutie.

I hopped out of my Jeep and walked back to the young turtle.

Side view of a young Three-toed Box Turtle in Oklahoma – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/400, ISO 1250, +0.3 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 428m, natural light

This Three-toed Box Turtle wasn’t what I’d call a “baby,” but it was certainly smaller than most of this species that I’ve seen and photographed at the refuge.

The bottomland and wetlands at the refuge provide great habitat for these box turtles which I see there often in the spring and early summer. Three-toed Box Turtles are omnivores, eating a variety of plants, insects, worms, slugs, snails, and carrion. They use their sharp beak-like jaws to tear apart food.

I was delighted to have this young box turtle in my viewfinder.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Three-toed Box Turtle photos plus facts and information about this species.