Our Oldest Resident
- Born in 1938, Wilma is Lakeside Nature Center’s oldest resident education animal.
- Wilma was found when she was just a hatchling turtle by a young couple. They took her home with them and continued to house and take good care of her for over 60 years. When they were unable to properly care for her, she was brought to the Nature Center where she lives today.
- Turtles don’t live long or healthy lives if people keep them inside their homes without proper care. For that they need a variety of good foods, fresh water, warmth and sunlight. She either needs to hibernate underground outside in winter or feel her home space to be as warm as a summer day all winter long.
- For more information on ornate box turtles, go to https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/ornate-box-turtle.
Wilma in her display. Photo © Susie Harris