A quiet walk around the pond holds a certain magic—the kind that comes from spotting a little shelled friend sunning itself on a rock or half-submerged log. Kids especially love to discover box turtles along the water’s edge. Their patterned shells and slow, steady movements seem like something out of a storybook. These turtles are not just cute—they’re a sign of a healthy local ecosystem and a small wonder of Ohio’s natural world.

In Dayton, we’re most likely to spot the Eastern box turtle, a native species known for its domed shell and vivid orange and yellow markings. Occasionally, people come across ornate box turtles, too, though they’re more common further west. Box turtles are land dwellers, but they often prefer to bask near water, especially in warm weather, when they can soak up the sun. They’re omnivores, munching on berries, insects, fungi, and even the occasional worm.

A few fun facts: Box turtles can live more than 50 years, and their shells are fused with their spine, meaning they can’t leave their shells like some cartoons suggest. Here’s something many don’t know: Box turtles have an incredible homing instinct. If moved from their territory, they often try to return, even if the journey takes them years. So, if you spot one on the trail, take a moment to enjoy it, snap a picture, and leave it right where you found it.