Meet Daisy and Victor: NMLC’s Box Turtle Ambassadors

Daisy and Victor are permanent residents at NMLC after previously being kept illegally as part of the wildlife trade. Because they were housed with turtle species from around the world—and because we don’t know whether they were captured in the wild or bred in captivity—they could carry diseases or parasites that might harm native turtles. For that reason, they cannot be safely released.

At NMLC, Daisy and Victor serve as ambassadors for their species, helping visitors learn about the illegal wildlife trade and the importance of protecting threatened and endangered wildlife.

Eastern box turtles have a hinged plastron—the bottom portion of their shell—that allows them to pull in their head, legs, and tail and close their shell completely.

You can help protect box turtles by respecting their habitat and leaving wild turtles where they belong. If you encounter one, observe it without handling or relocating it. If a turtle is crossing a road and you can help safely, move it to the other side in the direction it was already traveling. Ask us how to help a turtle cross safely!

You can also encourage your town officials to protect the woodlands, fields, and other habitats box turtles depend on from development and plastic pollution.

Fun fact: Box turtles are omnivorous! In the wild they can eat a variety of vegetation and invertebrates like earthworms, which are a favorite! Here at NMLC, Daisy and Victor enjoy blueberries, fresh veggies like squash and carrots, as well as canned cat food to supplement the meat portion of the omnivore diet.​