Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Box Turtle

Terrapene

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Box turtles are land-dwelling North American turtles. This account describes the common box turtle (Terrapene carolina), which can close its shell around its body.

Florida box turtle (Terrapene carolina bauri), a representative common box turtle, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Florida box turtle (Terrapene carolina bauri), a representative common box turtle, in Jacksonville, Florida.

“Jonathan Zander ( Digon3 )" · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Common box turtles inhabit the eastern United States. Open woodland, pasture and damp meadows provide habitat, often near streams or ponds. This account concerns Terrapene carolina rather than the entire genus.
Habitat
Temperate forest, Grassland, Wetlands
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Food includes insects, earthworms, slugs, fruit and other plant material. Younger turtles tend to eat more animal food, while adults take more vegetation. They spend much of their time on land and shelter when conditions become unsuitable.

Classification

Common name
Box Turtle
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Terrapene
Taxon rank
genus
Family
Emydidae
Genus
Terrapene
Source classification
Reptilia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • A hinge lets the lower shell close.
  • Its shell markings vary between individuals.
  • Its diet includes plants and invertebrates.

Habitat and range

Common box turtles inhabit the eastern United States. Open woodland, pasture and damp meadows provide habitat, often near streams or ponds. This account concerns Terrapene carolina rather than the entire genus.

Appearance and adaptations

A high, rounded upper shell has variable yellow or orange markings. A hinge in the lower shell allows it to close around the withdrawn head and limbs, forming a protective enclosure.

Diet and behaviour

Food includes insects, earthworms, slugs, fruit and other plant material. Younger turtles tend to eat more animal food, while adults take more vegetation. They spend much of their time on land and shelter when conditions become unsuitable.

Sources

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