Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina
Appearance 2
They have a brown high-domed, rounded carapace (the part of shell above a turtle's back) with variable bright yellow markings. The upper jaw is slightly hooked. The toes are only slightly webbed. Their head has lines on it just like their plastron. Males are generally slightly larger than females on average and the claws on their hind legs are short, thick, and curved. Females' rear claws are longer, straighter, and more slender.
Habitat 2
This turtle species inhabits open woodlands, pastures, and marshy meadows. It is often found near streams and ponds
Behavior/Reproduction 2
The mating season begins in the spring and continues throughout summer to about October. A female may lay fertile eggs for up to four years after one successful mating. Nesting occurs from May through July.In the heat of the summer, this turtle species is most active in the morning or after it rains. When it gets too hot, they hide under decaying logs and leaves, crawl into mammal burrows, or in mud. When it is very hot, they go into shady pools and puddles to cool off.In the spring and fall, they may be out foraging during all daylight hours, and they sometimes bask in the sun to get warm. When frightened, box turtles retract their head, tail, and limbs into their shell and clamp it shut.
Fun Fact 2
They can live to be up to 150 years old in the wild. They eat some kinds of fungi that are poisonous to people.
Citations 2
http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Terrapene_carolina/
Sources and Credits
- (c) Lisa Brown, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/33695431@N00/3088087497
- (c) gburg2016, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Category | Amphibians and Reptiles |
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