Photo by DLK
Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina
Description 4-8 1/2" (10-21.6 cm). Terrestrial. Movable plastron hinge allows lower shell to close tightly against carapace. Carapace high-domed and keeled; variable in color and pattern. Plastron often as long as carapace; tan to dark brown, yellow, orange, or olive; patternless or with some dark blotching. Males usually have red eyes and depression in rear portion of plastron; females have yellowish-brown eyes.
Breeding Nests May to July. Lays 3-8 elliptical, thin-shelled eggs, averaging about 1 3/8" (35 mm), in a 3-4" (76-102 mm) deep flask-shaped cavity. Hatchlings sometimes overwinter in the nest. Females are capable of storing sperm and can produce fertile eggs for several years after a single mating. Mature in 5 to 7 years.
Habitat Moist forested areas, but also wet meadows, pastures, and floodplains.
Photo by DLK