Eastern box turtles are one ofPennsylvania's native species. Find out howto tell the difference between a male andfemale box turtle based on it’s eye color inthis 5-minute mini-documentary. Then youcan choose your own colors for this coloringpage. There are 13 other turtles you can find inPennsylvania, too! Did you know some havesoft shells? Learn all about them. Which onedo you like best?

It's World Turtle Day!Thank you for caring about turtles! We

wish we could share about these wonderfulcreatures in person, but here are some fun

things you can do at home:

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3. Let's check out turtles from outsidePennsylvania too! Here is a Ted-Ed videoabout the survival of sea turtles. Then youcan play this game to try to save seaturtles! 4. Next visit a rescue hospital for injuredsea turtles, or get to know the sea turtlesat our local Adventure Aquarium, and seeif you can answer these questions:

a. How much does Bob the loggerheadturtle weigh?b. What do they eat, and do you eatany of those things too?c. How long can they hold their breathunderwaterd. You might like to color this Bobcoloring page, or go outside and try todraw a life size version of Bob withsidewalk chalk (measure 3 feet!)

5. Climate change can affect sea turtles.Read this story about Myrtle the Turtle tofind out about it.

Ornate box turtles are different from oureastern box turtles, and are native to theGreat Plains area of the US. They typicallygrow 6 inches long. Can you measure 6inches on a ruler?

You can tell the difference between a maleand a female box turtle by looking at theireyes! Male ornate box turtles usually havered eyes while females have brown oryellow. Do you think the turtle picturedbelow is a male or female?

Records for ornate box turtles indicate theylive as long as 32 to 37 years. Try counting to37 - how many hands do you need to counton your fingers that high?

If you look closely at this box turtle's shell,you will see growth rings. Can you think ofanything else in nature that has growthrings?

Ornate Box Turtle Facts!

Book Read Alouds

Listen to a book about a very special turtlenamed Mossy, by Jan Brett (This is mypersonal favorite!)

In this video you can listen to children'sauthor, Suzanne Tate, reading her book,Tammy Turtle, A Tale of Saving Sea Turtles.

Sea turtles are a popular species to learnabout, with many books written aboutthem. In One Tiny Turtle, author NicolaDavies combines a story about loggerheadsea turtles with amazing facts about theirlife cycle.

Looking for more? We know the library isclosed right now, but here are a few greatbooks about turtles that you can watch beingread aloud right from home. Get comfy!

Thank you for celebrating World Turtle Daywith DCVA at home. We hope to see you at a

live event someday soon!