Baby Bourret’s box turtles

Bourret’s box turtles are critically endangered, so we are particularly pleased to report that ours have had babies – and one of them can now be seen in the Alfred Brehm building. We’ve been watching these cute little critters since the day they hatched, and here we give you a sneak peek. The Bourret’s box turtles are in the small terrariums next to the right-hand entrance to the Tropical Hall.

Did you know? When danger threatens, Bourret’s box turtles pull up the front and back parts of their plastron (belly shell), closing themselves up completely. They can do that thanks to a sort of hinge in the plastron.