Eastern Box Turtle
Eastern box turtles are one of four subspecies of box turtles occurring in the eastern United States. They are terrestrial, long-lived and slow in reproducing. They derived their name from being able to box up completely inside their shell when alarmed.
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Subphylum | Vertebrata |
Class | Reptilia |
Order | Testudines |
Family | Emydidae |
Genus | Terrapene |
Species | Terrapene carolina |
Scientific Name | Terrapene carolina carolina |
Other Names | Box Turtle |
Size | 4.5 to 6 in; largest specimen recorded is 7.8 in |
Weight | 1 – 2 lbs |
Color | Generally brownish or black carapace with yellowish or orangish scattered lines, spots or blotches; usually brown or black skin color with some orange, red, yellow or white spots or irregular lines; some male specimens may have blue blotches on the cheeks, throat and front legs; males generally have red eyes whereas females usually have brown eyes |
Distribution | Southern Maine, eastern region of the Michigan Upper Peninsula, southern Florida, eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio, Indiana |
Habitat | Deciduous or mixed forested regions with moist forest floor, bottomland, pastures, open grasslands, under fallen logs or in moist ground |
Diet | Earthworms, snails, grubs, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, fallen fruit, berries, mushrooms, grasses, flowers, bread, duck weed, carrion |
Hibernation Fact | Hibernates during winter months |
Predators | Babies fall prey to coyotes, raccoons, wild pigs, turkeys, skunks, fox, weasels, possums, birds, snakes, cats, dogs, chickens, other Box Turtles |
Breeding Season | May – October |
Mode of Reproduction | Oviparous (egg laying) |
Clutch Size | Around 4 eggs |
Incubation Period | Around 70 days |
Reproductive Age | 7 to 10 years of age |
Average Lifespan | In Wild: 30 to 40 years In captivity : More than 100 years |
IUCN Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
Eastern Box Turtle Pictures Gallery
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