Coahuilan box turtle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coahuilan box turtle |
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| Coahuilan box turtle (Terrapene coahuila) at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | |
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Terrapene
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coahuila
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The Coahuilan box turtle (Terrapene coahuila) is a special type of turtle. People also call it the aquatic box turtle because it loves water! Unlike most other box turtles, this one spends about 90% of its life in water. It is an endangered animal, meaning it is at risk of disappearing forever.
This turtle is a close relative of the common box turtle. Scientists think it changed over time from a land-living turtle. This change helped it survive in the desert springs of Cuatro Ciénegas.
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Where Coahuilan Box Turtles Live
The Coahuilan box turtle lives only in one special place. This place is near Cuatro Ciénegas in Coahuila, Mexico. It is a very small area, less than 800 square kilometers (300 square miles).
Even within this small area, the turtles live in different groups. When it rains a lot, these turtles might leave their usual homes. They can travel across the desert to find new places.
What Coahuilan Box Turtles Look Like
The Coahuilan box turtle's body is perfect for living in water. Its shell often has green algae growing on it. This helps it blend in with its watery home.
Like other box turtles, it has a special hinged shell. This means it can close its bottom shell, called a plastron, completely. This helps protect it from danger. Its skin is usually dark brown or dark gray. Some parts can even look completely black.
What Coahuilan Box Turtles Eat
The Coahuilan box turtle is not picky about its food. It eats both plants and other small animals. This means it is an opportunistic feeder.
In the wild, they eat many things. This includes fly larvae, dragonfly nymphs, and beetles. They also munch on true bugs, spiders, and even small reptiles. Sometimes, they eat fish and crayfish. They also enjoy mushrooms and water plants like Chara and Eleocharis.
How Coahuilan Box Turtles Have Babies
Coahuilan box turtles mate in shallow water. This usually happens from September to June. The female turtles lay their eggs from May to September.
They lay small groups of eggs, called clutches. Each clutch usually has only 2 or 3 eggs.
