How Can You Tell if Your Box Turtle Is Digging Her Nest?

Box turtles are best known for their amazing ability to seal themselves completely in their shells when afraid. These attractively colored little reptiles are the most widespread terrestrial turtle in the eastern United States. Box turtles lay their eggs below ground. Once the female has found a suitable spot, she uses her hind legs to dig a funnel-shaped nest. Females will normally continue with nest digging and egg laying if the hobbyist keeps a respectful distance.

Things You'll Need

  • Turtle identification book
  • Binoculars
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Instructions

  1. Determine the turtle's gender

    • 1

      Pick up the turtle and turn it onto its back. Look at the plastron, or bottom shell of the animal. Male box turtles exhibit a concave area in their plastron. This depression allows the male turtle to sit correctly on the domed top shell of the female, during mating. A female box turtle will have a flat plastron.

    • 2

      Observe the overall body color of your turtle, if you cannot, or choose not to, pick up the turtle. Female box turtles are not as colorful as males. Look carefully at the face and neck of the animal. The male animal has more and richer markings over his face, throat and neck region.

    • 3

      Look carefully at the eyes of the turtle. Females have brown eyes, while males have red.

    • 4

      Look at the claws on the back feet of your turtle. The digits or toes of the female are straighter and thinner than those of the male turtle.

    Watch for nesting

    • 5

      Watch your box turtle during the early evenings from April to July.

    • 6

      Check out the soil in your turtle enclosure. Box turtle females choose loose or loamy soil in which to dig their nest, and the animal will be drawn to these spots.

    • 7

      Look for signs that your turtle is testing the soil by scraping with her back feet.

    • 8

      Notice if the turtle starts to dig in an area and then move on without covering up the scratches she has made. Many females test a number of locations before deciding on the most suitable area in which to dig their nest.

    • 9

      Check the sun exposure in the enclosure. Female box turtles prefer to dig a nest in spots that are exposed to sunshine. If the animal is showing interest in such an area, she is likely going to dig and lay there.

    • 10

      Notice if the turtle begins to dig in earnest, using both back feet. If so, she is digging a nest.