Box turtle facts for kids

Box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina).

Box turtles are fascinating reptiles known for their special shells. They get their name because their shells can close up tightly, like a box! This helps them hide safely from animals that might try to eat them. There are two main groups of box turtles: Asian box turtles and North American box turtles. Even though they share a name, they live in different parts of the world and have unique habits.

These turtles can live for a very long time, often more than 20 years. Some have even lived for 50 years or more! While they might seem like interesting pets, box turtles have complex needs. Taking them from the wild can harm their populations. It's important to learn about and protect these amazing creatures in their natural homes.

What Box Turtles Eat

Box turtles are omnivorous, which means they eat both plants and animals. They have excellent eyesight and a strong sense of smell. These senses help them find tasty foods. When they are young, box turtles mostly eat small animals. These include snails, insects, slugs, and worms.

As they grow older, adult box turtles eat more plants. They enjoy berries, fungi, and flowers. Sometimes, they might even eat small fish, frogs, or salamanders. They need a balanced diet to stay healthy and strong.

Amazing Box Turtle Sounds

Scientists are always learning new things about box turtles. A study by Davidson College found something surprising. Box turtles can make sounds with their jaws! These sounds can be quite loud, over 75 decibels. That's about as loud as a busy street!

They might use these sounds for different reasons. Perhaps they scare away animals that want to eat them. Or maybe they use them to communicate with other turtles, especially during the reproduction season.

Box Turtle Reproduction

Box turtles reproduce during the warmer months. This usually happens from late spring to the end of summer. Sometimes, two male turtles might try to win the attention of the same female. They don't usually fight in a harmful way. Instead, they might gently bump heads or try to push each other over.

Male box turtles competing for a female (Terrapene carolina).

Eventually, one male will move away, and the other will get to mate with the female. This natural process helps ensure new generations of box turtles are born.

Protecting Box Turtles

Many box turtle species around the world are in danger. Asian box turtles are threatened because they are sometimes captured for food. North American box turtles face different challenges. Their homes, like forests, are often turned into farms or cities. This means they have less space to live.

Geographic distribution of the genus Terrapene

When their habitats are broken up by highways, turtles try to cross them. Sadly, many are hit by cars. They also face dangers from other animals and a serious bacterial illness.

Taking box turtles from the wild is a big problem. Studies have shown that thousands of young turtles are captured each year. These turtles often suffer from poor care. They can become sick, dehydrated, or not get enough food. Many do not survive.

Because of these dangers, many states, like Indiana, have strict laws. It's often illegal to keep wild box turtles without a special permit. Box turtles reproduce slowly. Taking them from their natural homes can cause lasting harm to their populations.

Box turtles are not easy pets. They get stressed if handled too much. They need a special outdoor space with sunlight and a varied diet. Without proper care, they can become unhealthy. Dogs and cats can also easily hurt them.

If you find a box turtle in the wild, it's best to leave it alone. They like to stay in their home area. Moving a turtle even a short distance can make it lost. It might spend years trying to find its way back, which puts it in danger. This also stops it from reproducing. Let's help keep box turtles safe in their natural environments!

Types of Box Turtles

There are many different kinds of box turtles! Scientists group them into families and genera.

North American Box Turtles

These turtles belong to the family Emydidae and the genus Terrapene.

• Terrapene carolina (Common Box Turtle): This species includes several types, like the Eastern box turtle and the Florida box turtle.
• Coahuilan box turtle (Terrapene coahuila)
• Ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata): This species also has different types, such as the Desert box turtle.

An Ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata).

Asian Box Turtles

These turtles are part of the family Geoemydidae.

Genus Cuora

• Amboina box turtle (Cuora amboinensis)
• Chinese box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata)
• Indochinese box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons)

An Indo-Chinese box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons).

Genus Pyxidea

• Keeled box turtle (Pyxidea mouhotii)

Images for kids

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  A Florida box turtle, Terrapene carolina bauri

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  Eastern box turtles laying eggs

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  Map showing where different box turtle species live

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  A Mexican box turtle (Terrapene mexicana) in Mexico

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  A young Terrapene carolina carolina

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  A baby T. c. bauri

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  Rings on the shell of a T. c. triunguis. These rings can help guess the age of young box turtles.

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  A Florida box turtle in Georgia

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  A box turtle in Missouri.

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  An 1856 painting of a box turtle by Jacques Burkhardt.

See also

In Spanish: Tortuga de caja para niños

• Turtle
• Tortoise
• Asian box turtle