Coahuilan box turtle

Terrapene coahuila

The Coahuilan box turtle is a small turtle with a beautiful, colorful shell. They like to hide in their shells when they feel scared, and they are very special because they are found only in a few places in Mexico.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Coahuilan box turtle has a small, dome-shaped shell, typically olive to dark brown, with a distinctive hinged plastron. Its feet are notably webbed, a unique adaptation among box turtles for aquatic life. The skin is dark with lighter flecks, helping it blend into murky waters.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesOrderTestudinesFamilyEmydidaeGenusTerrapene

Coahuilan box turtle

Interesting facts

It's the only box turtle that spends most of its life swimming in water, not on land!

Its marshy home stays warm year-round thanks to natural springs, like a giant natural bathtub.

They munch on algae, snails, and insects, helping keep their special water habitat clean.

This turtle only lives in ONE unique desert valley in Mexico, nowhere else on Earth!

Special abilities

Coahuilan box turtle can pull its head, tail, and limbs inside its shell and close it almost completely because of its hinged plastron, protecting it from danger.

Coahuilan box turtle has webbed feet that help it swim efficiently through shallow water, making it a unique aquatic box turtle.

Coahuilan box turtle can stay submerged underwater for extended periods, helping it forage for food and hide from predators.

Measurements & details

Length: 10-15 cm
Weight: 0.2-0.5 kg
Lifespan: 30-60 years
Top Speed: 0.1 km/h
Swim Speed: 0.5 km/h
Clutch Size: 1-5
Incubation: 60-90 days
Maximum Depth: 2 m

Diet & Feeding

An opportunistic eater, it munches on plants, insects, and small aquatic critters found in its marshy home.

Primary Foods

algae
aquatic insects
snails
small fish
carrion

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Raccoons sometimes raid nests or hunt adult turtles.

eats

Bladder Snail

Physa acuta

Feeds on this common aquatic snail found in its habitat.

eats

Cuatro Ciénegas Gambusia

Gambusia marshi

Preys on small fish unique to its desert oasis home.

depends on

Broadleaf Cattail

Typha latifolia

Uses dense vegetation for shelter and hiding from predators.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Camouflaged

Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.