Eastern or Three-toed Box Turtle

Description:

The carapace (top portion of shell) of the Eastern Box Turtle is noticeably longer than wide, domed with a narrow keel lengthwise down the center, and has some flaring at the rear edge. The tallest point of the shell is well back towards the tail, so viewed side­ ways it’ll be tallest at the back of the turtle. The carapace (bottom of shell) is light brown to tan with a few dark flecks on it. The plastron is normally solid yellow without any markings, although the edges individual plates may be dark. Orange, yellow or red spots sometimes visible on head and forelegs. The subspecies in Texas (Terrapene carolina triunguis) almost always has three toes on each hind foot, hence the name Three-toed Box Turtle.

Habitat:

Wildlife habitat garden.