# Eastern Box Turtle (*Terrapene carolina*) The Eastern Box Turtle is a small turtle with a domed shell that can close tightly when it feels scared. They love to roam the forest floor looking for yummy snacks! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 150 - **Habitat:** Woodlands, meadows, and wetlands - **Also known as:** Box Turtle, Common Box Turtle ![Eastern Box Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426861/objects/5624.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Box Turtle has a high, dome-shaped upper shell, often patterned with bright yellow or orange blotches on a dark brown or black background. Its unique hinged plastron (bottom shell) allows it to fully enclose itself, a feature that visually distinguishes it from most other turtles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Terrapene ## Interesting facts - A box turtle's shell grows rings like a tree, which can sometimes help estimate its age! - If flipped onto its back, an Eastern Box Turtle can often use its strong legs to right itself again! - Male box turtles often have red eyes, while females usually have brown or yellowish eyes! - They can sometimes spend winter months buried deep in the soil, entering a sleep called brumation. ## Special abilities - **Hinged Hideaway:** Eastern Box Turtle has a hinged bottom shell that helps them pull completely inside for total protection from predators. - **Fantastic Forager:** Eastern Box Turtle can eat many different foods because of their omnivorous diet that helps them find meals easily. - **Sensory Spotter:** Eastern Box Turtle has excellent eyesight and smell that helps them locate food and find mates in dense undergrowth. - **Shell Camouflage:** Eastern Box Turtle has a uniquely patterned shell that helps them blend perfectly into leafy forest floors. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-60 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-8 - **Incubation:** 70-100 days ## Diet & Feeding This omnivore enjoys a varied diet of insects, berries, mushrooms, and even small carrion. - **Age differences:** Young turtles eat more protein-rich insects, while adults consume a larger proportion of plants and fungi. - **Primary Foods:** Slugs, Beetles, Mushrooms, Berries, Grasses, Carrion - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — preys on eggs and young turtles - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — may prey on adults and juveniles - **Eats:** Common Mushroom (*Agaricus bisporus*) — forages for various fungi and mushrooms - **Eats:** Wild Strawberry (*Fragaria virginiana*) — consumes wild berries and fruits - **Eats:** [Leopard Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — feeds on slugs and other invertebrates ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern 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 Eastern Box Turtle? 10-20 cm ### How much does Eastern Box Turtle weigh? 0.5-1.5 kg ### How long does Eastern Box Turtle live? 30-60 years ### How fast can Eastern Box Turtle move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Eastern Box Turtle eat? This omnivore enjoys a varied diet of insects, berries, mushrooms, and even small carrion. ### Where is Eastern Box Turtle usually found? Woodlands, meadows, and wetlands ### How does Eastern Box Turtle hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Advance Mills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/advance-mills) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alfred-b-maclay-gardens-state-park) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [American Baptist College](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-baptist-college) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Ashton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashton-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-creek-cypress-swamp-sanctuary) — Maryland, US · Nature Reserve - [Bloomingdale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloomingdale) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Eastern Box Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-box-turtle) ## 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: [Eastern Box Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-box-turtle)