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Eastern Box Turtle

Terrapene carolina  carolina

Range

Michigan to southern Maine south to eastern Texas and Florida

Habitat

Woodlands, pastures, and marshy meadows. Often found close to ponds and streams

Distinguishing Characteristics

Box turtles can be identified by their highly domed carapace (upper shell) and their hinged plastron (lower shell).

Dietary Classification

Diet in the Zoo: Different types of greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, grapes, apples and other various fruits and veggies as well as earthworms, crickets, & mealworms

Diet in the Wild: Many different types of vegetation, mushrooms, small invertebrates, and some small vertebrates

Life Span

The literature varies on this subject but generally places box turtles with lifespans at no less than 40 years and not more than 100 years.

Behavior/Adaptations

* Males have a concave plastron and oftentimes have red eyes. Females have flat plastrons and generally have brown eyes.
* When box turtles feel threatened, they can close up their hinged plastrons very tightly, essentially forming a box.
 

Status

Not considered endangered, but are vulnerable to habitat destruction. All ssp. are listed on CITIES II.

Classification

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family	Genus	Species
Animalia	Chordata	Reptilia	Testudines	Emydidae	Terrapene	carolina