There are lots of reptiles that start with the letter D all around us with scaly skin and strong shells or tough skin to keep them safe. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more learning and playing ideas.
Today we’re going to learn all about reptiles that start with the letter “D”, and we’re going to focus on a very special friend—the Desert Box Turtle!
I have loads of facts, resources, and even a cute box turtle craft at the end that you are not going to want to miss in your reptile study.
Reptiles are a group of animals that have scaly skin, are cold-blooded, and lay eggs on land.
Then look at some of these books about reptiles
BOOKS ABOUT REPTILES FOR KIDS
We prefer living books when we can find them.
6 Reptile Books and Resources
Add some of these books and resources about reptiles to your library.
A fascinating picture book biography of a pioneering female scientist who loved reptiles!While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere--she even brought a crocodile to school!When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children's tea parties--with her komodo dragon as the guest of honor.
See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.Nature Anatomy is the second book in Rothman's Anatomy series – you'll love Nature Anatomy Notebook, Ocean Anatomy, Food Anatomy, and Farm Anatomy, too!
Sink your fangs into the hidden worlds of these scaly and sensational creatures with leading reptile scientist and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Ruchira Somaweera as your guide.Meet the coolest cold-blooded animals ever. From lizards to snakes, turtles to crocodiles, something called a tuatara, and even enormous prehistoric reptiles (think real-life sea monsters!), you’ll discover what makes a reptile a reptile; how these creatures live, hunt, hide, and raise their young, and the wild adaptations that make them so unique. Learn which snake is the most venomous on the planet and which are surprisingly gentle creatures, which reptile is born with a highly developed third eye in its forehead, and which one is so tiny it could balance on the tip of your finger—plus loads of super important conservation information and impactful ways to join the fight to save endangered reptile species right from home!
- PLAY & LEARN: Professor Noggin’s series of educational card games encourages kids to learn interesting facts about their favorite subjects.
- FUN FACTS: How about Reptiles versus Amphibians?! That's just one of the topic cards in this kids card game. Find out more fun facts from Eggs to the Komodo Dragon!
A great book that parents could read for kids and also includes fun trivia!!
Dramatic incidents preface descriptions of reptiles ranging from crocodiles and cobras to turtles and tuataras
Now, look at this list of reptiles.
REPTILES THAT START WITH THE LETTER D
Before we get started on box turtles here is a great list of reptiles that start with D to get you started.
- Diamondback terrapin
- Desert Iguanas
- Diamondback Rattlesnakes
- Dunai Geckos
- DeKay’s brown snake
- Desert box turtle
- Desert grassland whiptail lizard
- Desert horned lizard
- Desert iguana
- Desert kingsnake
- Desert night lizard
- Desert rosy boa
- Desert short-horned lizard
- Desert tortoise
Next, look at the other reptile resources.
REPTILE RESOURCES
Nature Anatomy has been my go to resource for so many topics, if you want a book that can be used for many things over several years this is the one.
- 10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana
- Watch Homeschool Pop’s Reptiles For Kids video.
- Grab these reptile figures to use in sensory bins or for a science shelf.
- Free Reptiles Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning
- Celebrate Snakes | How To Make A Fake Snakeskin Snake Craft Preschool
- Grab a colorful eye-catching book like Reptiles Everywhere to have on hand.
- Check out this really cool Reptile Pattern Matching Activity I found.
- Preschoolers will love making these Awesome DIY Alligator Puppets.
EASTERN BOX TURTLE VS. DESERT BOX TURTLE
Box turtles are named this because they cannot only retreat into their shells at the first sign of danger, but also seal off their legs and head within a hinged plastron(under shell) creating formidable armor.
There are five subspecies of the common box turtle, each differing slightly in the coloring and patterning of the carapace, and having either three or four toes on each hind foot.
The Eastern Box Turtle and the Desert Box Turtle share many things in common…
- They are both reptiles- This means they have scaly skin, are cold-blooded, and lay eggs.
- They have hard shells- Their upper and lower shells connect, forming a protective “box” that lets them pull in their head, legs, and tail when danger is nearby.
- They move slowly- Box turtles aren’t fast runners — their heavy shells weigh them down — but that’s okay because their protective “box” keeps them safe.
- Both are omnivores –which means they eat a mixture of plants (like strawberries and grasses) and small creatures (like insects and worms).
- They can live a long time- Box turtles, whether they live in forests or deserts, can live 30-50 years or more in the wild — sometimes even up to 100 years with proper care.
- They are land dwellers- Some turtles love water, but box turtles and their desert relatives mainly stay on land.
- They hibernate in cold months- when it gets cold, both will find a sheltered spot and slow their body down to save energy until it warms up again.
Now let’s look at a few differences in each of these reptiles.
EASTERN BOX TURTLE
Habitat-forests, fields, meadows, near water
Environment-humid, damp, lots of leaf litter
Shell Coloring-darker brown or black with yellow or orange patterns
Activity- more active during the day
Diet-insects, worms, strawberries, mushrooms, and plants insects, cactus fruit, grasses, small invertebrates
Protection- hard, protective “box” lets it close up safely
DESERT BOX TURTLE
Habitat- deserts, scrublands, grasslands, drier areas
Environment- arid, sandier, less water
Shell Coloring- lighter yellowish-brown with delicate lines
Activity- more active in the early morning or late evening to avoid the daytime heat
Protection- hard “box” plus coloring that helps it blend in with sand and scrub
BOX TURTLE CRAFT
First decide which type of box turtle you would like to make, this will help you choose colors for its particular markings.
You will need:
- 2 paper bowls
- Green paint or markers
- Brown, yellow, or black paint or markers
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Tape
- Googly eyes (optional)
Turn the bowl upside-down and paint it green.
For a more realistic look, add brown or yellow patterns with a brush or marker.
Allow the bowl to dry thoroughly.
Using construction paper, cut:
- 1 small oval or circle for the head
- 4 short rectangles or ovals for the legs
- 1 small triangle for the tail
We used some scrap craft paper we had on hand.
Using tape stick the head to the rim of the bowl at the front, put it on so that you can fold the head and legs inward to “hide”
Attach the 4 legs — 2 on each side — and the small triangle at the back for the tail.
If you have googly eyes, you can glue them on the head, or you can draw the eyes with a black marker.
Use another color of paint with a brush or a paint pen to add design to the top of the turtle shell.
Turn the bowl (shell) upside-down and put it on the other bowl to create a base for your turtle.
If you tape it on just one side like a hinge you can use this to demonstrate how the box turtle can completely close up in its shell.
