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Terrapene carolina carolina
There are 4 species of box turtles found in the United States--Terrapene carolina bauri (Florida box turtle); Terrapene carolina major (Gulf Coast box turtle); Terrapene carolina triunguis (Three-toed box turtle); Terrapene carolina carolina (Eastern box turtle). I am calling this box turtle a "beauty." It is absolutely the most colorful box turtle I've ever seen with the brilliant yellow spots on the head. It was very bright and colorful in the sunlight. Box turtles occupy the eastern United States ranging from southern Maine to Florida along the East Coast, and west to Michigan, Illinois, eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. They are also very popular household pets.
This box turtle was spotted along a walking path at Kinder Farm Park, Anne Arundel County, Millersville, Maryland.
1 Comment
I wonder if it is an ornate box turtle, the top of the carapace is flattened compared to most T. carolina specimens I've seen.Peterson's field guide gives that as a diagnostic identifying characteristic. Could be outside its normal range if someone released it or it escaped captivity.