Ambassadors since 2000
Terrapene carolina triunguis
- Most, but not all, three-toed box turtles have three toes on their hind feet. Other box turtle subspecies have four hind toes.
- In the early 2000s Daisy was donated to the Park District’s naturalist department for use as an education animal. Sally Jane joined us several years later when her owner could no longer keep her.
- Sally Jane was named by our preschool nature campers. Half of the group wanted to name the turtle Sally and the other half wanted to name her Jane. Their instructor Mrs. McKinsey wisely decided to compromise and use both names.
- Both Daisy and Sally Jane have imperfect shells. Daisy sustained injuries to hers when she was housed with a male box turtle. The cause of Sally Jane’s injury is unknown, but the rear of her carapace, or top shell, has cracks that have healed. She also sometimes has trouble moving her rear legs.