Eastern Box Turtle

Description:

Eastern box turtles are normally around 4.5-6 inches long, but specimens over 7 inches do occur.The carapace is high and dome-shaped, with a hinged plastron that makes it possible for the turtle to completely close the carapace.The coloration varies, but the carapace of an eastern box turtle is usually brownish or black and adorned with a yellowish to orange radiating pattern of lines, blotches and dots.

Habitat:

The eastern box turtle is known to appreciate a moderately moist forest floor with good drainage. Bottomland forest seems to be more popular than ridges and hillsides. Sometimes eastern box turtles are encountered in non-forested areas, such as grasslands and pastures. Just as in the forests, the turtles want the floor to be moderately moist in these environments and seek out areas with wet leaves or wet dirt.