Wildlife Tag
About the AOC Box Turtle Research Program
Did You Know?
Brumation is the condition of sluggishness and inactivity exhibited by reptiles (including turtles) during winter or extended periods of low temperatures.
The purpose of the Alabama Outdoor Classroom Box Turtle Research Program is to provide an opportunity for schools that have developed box turtle habitats through the Alabama Outdoor Classroom Program to research and study the captive box turtles that are in their care.
Box Turtle Research Instructions & Forms
Use these PDFs and PowerPoints with your students to collect your data:
- How to Determine Gender: Instructions (PDF) & Data Form (Teacher Version PDF | Student Version PDF)
- How to Take Measurement & Annuli Data: Instructions (PDF | PowerPoint) & Data Form (Teacher Version PDF | Student Version PDF)
- How to Calculate Brumation Data: Instructions (PDF | PowerPoint) & Data Form (Teacher Version PDF | Student Version PDF)
The students can then study and analyze this data in order to better understand the growth and brumation patterns of Eastern box turtles across Alabama. To update, review, or download the data for your school’s box turtles and/or to download the data for ALL of the turtles in the AOC Box Turtle Research Program, sign in below.
| Important Dates to Remember! | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Mar-Apr | May 1 | October 1 | Nov-Dec |
| Receive your annual permit from AL Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (via snail mail) | Turtles emerge from Brumation | Spring Measurement & Annuli Data Deadline *REQUIRED FOR PERMIT RENEWAL |
Fall Measurement & Annuli Data Deadline *REQUIRED FOR PERMIT RENEWAL |
Turtles enter Brumation |
Enter your Outdoor Classroom Identification Number below.
If you do not know your school's Outdoor Classroom ID#, follow this link to the Outdoor Classroom Map, click on your county, and then click on your school's name. Your Outdoor Classroom ID# is located under your school's enrollment date at the top of the webpage.
Questions? Contact Tyler Burgener at tburgener@alabamawildlife.org
Learn More about Eastern Box Turtles!
- 13-minute Educational Video for Students (YouTube | Vimeo)
My third graders ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS VIDEO! I could hear a pin drop while Jan talked to the kids. They actually clapped when she finished! —Audrey Parker, West Point Elementary
- Students’ Frequently Asked Questions about Box Turtles (PDF)
- Veterinarian Assistance for Box Turtles (AL Herp Assistance Program Map)
- Box Turtle Biology & Habitat Info (AWF Wonders of Wildlife Webpage | Outdoor Alabama Website)
- Box Turtle Feeding Tips (PDF)