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This site was created by students in the herpetology class at Towson University. Site last updated: 05/21/07.
Acknowledgements: Herb Harris - Range Maps; Mark Tegges - Photography; Dan Lapascha & Gigi Forester - TU Herpetology Logo
Eastern box turtle
(Terrapene carolina)
Description
The eastern box turtle is a terrestrial turtle that possesses a high, domelike carapace and a hinged plastron that allows total shell closure like a box. Young box turtles do not develop the plastral hinge until they are about 4 to 5 years old. Both carapace and plastron of the eastern box turtle are typically dark brown to black with many varying streaks, spots, and lines that are yellow or orange. Older individuals often have very smooth and worn shells with little coloration. The head, neck, and legs are also brightly colored with yellow and orange, particularly in the males. Male box turtles usually have red eyes while females normally have brown eyes. Overall length of most adult box turtles is about 11.5 - 15.2 cm (4¼ - 6 in.).
Habitat
Box turtles can be found in a variety of terrestrial habitats from fields to forests, although they seem to prefer moist environments when possible. During hot, dry weather, box turtles will often seek out springs and seepages where they dig deeply into the cool mud. They spend much of their time buried in the leaves and dirt on the forest floor, emerging to feed, especially after or during rainstorms. To hibernate, they burrow as far as two-feet deep into loose earth, mud, stream bottoms, old stump holes, or mammal burrows.
Breeding
Female box turtles seek out sunny areas where they lay their eggs in the warm soil by excavating a cavity with their hind feet. Although box turtles are active during daylight hours, females often use the protective cover of darkness to lay their eggs. After laying 3 - 6 eggs, the females cover their nest with soil and leave their eggs to hatch on their own. Hatching occurs within 2 - 3 months, but eggs that are laid late in the breeding season may overwinter. Due to their small size and lack of the bright coloration found on the adults, young box turtles are seldom seen.
Distribution in Maryland
Range map adapted from Harris, 1975.
Links
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/research/Contribute/box%20turtle/boxinfo.htm
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Easternboxturtle.cfm