Zoology of the ZooPl. CLXXX
Eastern box turtle
Terrapene carolina
Reptilia · Testudines · Emydidae
Fig. 1. Eastern box turtle
Fig. 2. Range
| Length or height | Shell about 11-20 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | About 0.3-0.6 kg |
| Food | Mushrooms, berries, worms, insects |
| Lifespan | About 50 years or more (est.) |
| Society | Solitary; small home ranges |
| Habitat | forest, grassland |
| Range | North America |
| Wild or tame | Wild |
A hinge on the plastron lets it close the shell completely, like a box. Florida's form (Florida box turtle) has yellow radiating lines. Moving a box turtle far from home usually dooms it, because it tries to walk back.
Observe: Look for the hinge across the bottom shell.