Common Box Turtle

Terrapene carolina

Description:

This turtle's shell was approximately 5 inches long. The shell was high and rounded, and was dark with many yellow splotches. The pattern is variable and becomes less prominent with age.

Habitat:

I saw this turtle in a deciduous forest right on the side of a large pond.

Notes:

Common box turtles are declining in number because of habitat loss, being killed by cars, and being captured for the pet trade. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.

Species ID Suggestions

6 Comments

Christine Y. 6 years ago

Thanks Leuba. I hope so too - it was a remote spot, nowhere near a road, and I didn't move it at all...Just let it go along on its way :)

Leuba Ridgway 6 years ago

Good looking turtle. I hope he keeps safe...

Christine Y. 6 years ago

Thank you for the nomination :)

AshleyT 6 years ago

Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!