Eastern Box Turtle
(Terrapene
carolina 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.
STATUS:
RANGE: South Maine
south to Florida Keys and west to Michigan, south Illinois,
Missouri, and east Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Isolated
population in extreme southeast Wisconsin.
HABITAT: Moist forested areas, but
also wet meadows, pastures, and floodplains.
SPECIAL HABITAT: Woodlands
FOOD: slugs, earthworms, fungus and leafy
vegetation |
