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Terrapene carolina
This big gorgeous Eastern Box Turtle was also VERY heavy. She was also found under a piece of tin in the shade on a 90+ degree day. I believe she was full of eggs.
Old grown up field.
Spotted on Aug 3, 2012
Submitted on Aug 5, 2012
7 Comments
They are opportunistic, but as you so noted, they are easy targets for unscrupulous people in motorized vehicles.
You may be right, but I believe that they are hardy survivors in the drought, as I recall, they are opportunist feeders. They will even eat road kill to survive. Unfortunately that habit is only deadly for them as I have seen turtles dead on the roads that were obviously targeted by drivers rather than avoided. Correct if I'm wrong, please.
Thanks nexttogone. They are still out there, but I suspect the drought has hit them hard in your area.
Thanks Emma. She was very photogenic...but not very patrient.
Amazing find and pic. I used to see these all over Texas, even in Odessa. I haven't seen a one in several years and I have certainly been looking hard.
Thank you for this out standing picture!
The Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) was designated the official state reptile of Tennessee in 1995. And I helped :-)