# 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. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Coahuilan box turtle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Amphibians-and-reptiles-of-the-state-of-Coahuila-Mexico-with-comparison-with-adjoining-states-zookeys-593-117-g002.jpg&width=800) Photo: Lemos-Espinal J, Smith G, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amphibians-and-reptiles-of-the-state-of-Coahuila-Mexico-with-comparison-with-adjoining-states-zookeys-593-117-g002.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Terrapene ## 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 - **Shell Fortress:** 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. - **Underwater Explorer:** Coahuilan box turtle has webbed feet that help it swim efficiently through shallow water, making it a unique aquatic box turtle. - **Breath Holder:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Never touch or pick up wild turtles; they need their space to feel safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Coahuilan box turtle? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Coahuilan box turtle? 10-15 cm ### How much does Coahuilan box turtle weigh? 0.2-0.5 kg ### How long does Coahuilan box turtle live? 30-60 years ### How fast can Coahuilan box turtle move? 0.1 km/h ### What does Coahuilan box turtle eat? An opportunistic eater, it munches on plants, insects, and small aquatic critters found in its marshy home. ### How fast can Coahuilan box turtle swim? 0.5 km/h ### Where is Coahuilan box turtle usually found? Wetlands ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Coahuilan box turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coahuilan-box-turtle)