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| Scientific name: Chordata: Reptilia: Testudinata: Emydidae: Terrapene carolina Common Name: Information Sheet, Eastern Box Turtle Country: USA Photographer: E. M. Barrows Identifier: E. M. Barrows
Additional Information: Eastern Box Turtles are native to the U.S. from Maine through Florida and west from southern Michigan through eastern Texas (Behler and King 1979; Cohn 2003). Individuals can live up to 100 years. Young individuals have growth rings on their carapace venters, and very old individuals do not show such growth rings. Eastern Box Turtles are terrestrial. They are common in some U.S. forests and occur in small parks and yards. These Turtles are diurnal and usually consume berries, earthworms, insects, mushrooms (including ones poisonous to Humans), slugs, snails, and wild strawberries. They occasionally scavenge on dead birds and mammals. Adult male Eastern Box Turtles have red eyes, and adult females have yellow-brown eyes. Males, on the average, are slightly larger than females and have concave plastrons, while females have flat plastrons. Mating occurs in March through October. Females become sexually mature at about 10 years of age. Mothers usually lay 4–5 eggs in flask-shaped nests in soil. Eggs hatch in about 80 days. Hatchlings often overwinter in their natal nests. Predators of Eastern Box Turtles include Coyotes, Foxes, Humans and Northern Water Snakes, Raccoons, Skunks, and Wild Hogs. New York Indians ate meat of this turtle, made ceremonial rattles out of its shells, and buried this species with their dead. Many people died from eating meat of this turtle, after it ate toxic mushrooms. The National Park Service is monitoring the Eastern Box Turtle population in Rock Creek Park (Cohn 2003) where this species is threatened. The Eastern Box Turtle population at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Maryland, appears to be stable. Local and state laws prohibit the sale of these Turtles. References Behler, John L. and F. Wayne King. 1979. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY. 743 pp. Cohn, D’Vera 2003. Box Turtle feared on its last legs. Rock Creek Park Creatures face many enemies. Washington Post 7 September: C1, C7. |
