[5] It is currently listed as threatened in Illinois[6] and is of concern and protected in six Midwestern states (Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wisconsin).

The geographic distribution of the ornate box turtle includes a large part of the Midwest, from Wisconsin to the Gulf of Mexico and from Louisiana to Colorado.

Open areas of sand are also important parts of the turtle's habitat for digging holes to burrow in.

[11] The ornate box turtle is an omnivore, with no particular dietary preferences; as an opportunistic feeder, it eats whatever is available in any given location or season.

[7] Grasses, berries, insects and other invertebrates (caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, earthworms), fruits, vegetables, and carrion (mammals, birds, amphibians, snakes, and even other turtles).

[7] The lifespan of the ornate box turtle has been reported to be from 32 to 37 years, with studies showing that males occur about half as frequently as females.

[7] Young turtles are vulnerable to predation until the shell is strong enough to be a major protection (except from being run over by cars).

The bottleneck effect is a double-edged sword for species that live a long time because the loss of genetic diversity would not be as obvious or as severe, but once it occurred, it would be harder to recover.

[7] Other agricultural factors that are a problem for the ornate box turtle are fences, water troughs, cattle (trampling), mowing, and other machinery.

The commercial trade has had a large effect on the Great Plains populations and if it continues, the result will be a serious decline in turtles.

It seems that the best strategies will be aimed at older females to increase their survival instead of concentrating on hatchlings and juvenile turtles.

[7] One of the first things that need to be done is to get a better idea of the actual number of ornate box turtles that exist and also to make it illegal to collect any for pet or commercial trade,[7] as some states did.

[16] Along with this is the need to stop the release of captive box turtles that have respiratory infections into the wild because of the effect of disease on survival.

[7][10][15] Probably the biggest factor that affects the ornate box turtle is interactions with humans so any action that minimizes contact is helpful.