THREE-TOED BOX TURTLE

THREE-TOED BOX TURTLE

Terrapene carolina triunguis
TERRAPIN FAMILY (Emydidae)

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This turtle reaches about 6 inches in length and lives, in captivity, to at least 25 years and beyond.  Their domed shell (carapace) is an olive color, with little or no other coloration.  It does have some variable yellow, white and red around the head.  This specimen is probably a male; they have the red or orange eyes. Females have brown eyes.

This subspecies does not normally occur in our area. As far as we know, this is the only sighting of this sub-species in Fontenelle Forest – in early September 2006.  Because these turtles are often kept as pets, we assume it was either released or has escaped.

Box turtles can retract all body parts into its upper shell (carapace), and pull their lower part (plastron) tightly against it for excellent protection against predators.

The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Loren Padelford.