Eastern Box Turtle

Terrapane carolina carolina

  • Classification: Reptile
  • Lifespan in the Wild: 50yrs, possible 100+yrs
  • Length: 4-6in
  • Range: United States - Eastern coast, as far west as Michigan, Illinois, Eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas
  • Habitat: open woodlands, pastures, marshy meadows
    • Diet in the Wild: snails, berries, fungi, slugs, worms, roots, flowers, fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes, birds, eggs, insects
    • Diet at Wildlife Images: leafy greens, veggies, fruit, mealworms, snails, crickets

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Box turtles are most famous for their brightly patterned hinged shell, which allows them to retract almost completely into their bony armor to hide from danger. Their shells also regenerate at an incredible rate, surprisingly able to heal from harsh wounds. Another fun fact about box turtles is that they can be toxic if consumed. They often eat poisonous mushrooms and the toxins can linger in their tissue, making them a poisonous choice for a meal. Box turtles will stay in the same place as long as they have their needs met (food, water, mates) and they hibernate in the winter by burrowing into leaf litter.

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