Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina

With the exeption of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), the eastern box turtle is the most terrestrial turtle in the Southeast. The eastern box turtle has a high-domed carapace that is olive to brown with yellow markings. Either color may dominate and the pattern can fade in older individuals. The single-hinged plastron is yellow, sometimes with dark markings. The yellow markings on the head are variable and can be quite striking, particularly in males. This species is common in open woodlands and, during periods of inactivity, will find shelter under leaf litter or rotting logs. Male box turtles have red eyes and concave plastrons, females have brown eyes and a flat plastron. Females nest in late afternoon to early evening from May through July, usually laying four or five eggs. Young eastern box turtles are primarily carnivorous, but adults are omnivorous.