JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Although somewhat slow and shy, the box turtle and crayfish have risen to the top of their classifications as the newest official state symbols. Legislation signed into law ...

Every year, Jeff Briggler sees the same three-toed box turtle. “In Callaway County, where I live, I found where this box turtle (spends the winter), and it’s a small depression in the woods,” he said.

This box turtle made it safely across the road this time. But the sunken area on top of its back, as well as the white scars on its back, tell of a past near tragedy. We can only guess how the injury ...