The box turtle has a distinctive hinged lowered shell (the box) that allows it to completely enclose itself. It has a high-domed, rounded, hard upper shell, called a carapace. The vivid, orange and yellow markings on its dark brown shell distinguish it from other box turtles, as do the four toes on its hind feet. What’s a common box turtle? This species has six subspecies, four in the U.S. and two in Mexico. 3. The most common pet box turtles belong to the species, Terrapene carolina (from now on, this is abbreviated as T. c. or T. carolina), often called Common Box Turtles. Box turtles comprise a category of these particular types that are likewise called box turtle. Because of this, many states have laws against keeping wild box turtles as pets. Many owners opt for chemical-free topsoil, leaves, and moss. There are four species of box turtles, all of which sport the characteristic domed shell. Box turtles might hibernate if their enclosure is allowed to drop in temperature or they are housed outdoors. Due to their varied diet, Common box turtles help to control various prey populations. There are several different species of box turtles, including the common, Coahuilan, Mexican, spotted, and ornate box turtle. If purchasing this species, please request the aquatic turtle care sheet. Common box turtles require daytime temperatures of around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a basking spot that’s around 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It should include sunny and shady areas, places to hide, and access to a shallow water dish. Box turtles are a group of turtles that live in North America. There are 4 other distinct species of box turtles. Common Box Turtles have a tall dome shape on the upper portion of their shell. This is due to their complex care requirements, as well as their susceptibility to stress, which can greatly affect a turtle's health. Box turtles need around 12 hours of UVB lighting per day either via natural sunlight or a UVB lamp. Related Species. Remarkably, female Common box turtles can delay implantation for up to four years after mating, and thus do not need to mate each year. The carapace and plastron are bony structures that usually join one another along each side of the body, creating a rigid skeletal box. Similarly to other box turtle species, Easterns can be long-lived! Box turtles weren’t considered common pets twenty and thirty years ago, but today, commercial trappers catch and sell box turtles by the thousands. Consult your vet on the correct proportions for your individual turtle. NOTE: The Malayan (Amboina) box turtle is a much more aquatic species than the other box turtles. There are also commercial diets available for box turtles, though you should supplement those with fresh foods. Pet Turtles: Cute But Commonly Contaminated with Salmonella. Article was last reviewed on 7th June 2019. Adult Size: 5 to 7 inches long. The more common subspecies, the Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata), inhabits the grasslands of the … Feed the right box turtle foods for sale. Common box turtles are found in the eastern United States, from Maine and Michigan to eastern Texas and south Florida. Respiratory infections, usually from insufficient humidity, are also common among box turtles. If you can’t keep your turtle outdoors year-round in your climate, try to do so for at least part of the year. I hope that you found these facts interesting and learned something new. Read our, The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. If Common box turtles do become too hot, (when their body temperature rises to around 32 °C), they smear saliva over their legs and head; as the saliva evaporates it leaves them comfortably cooler. Around the world, box turtle populations are declining. Other sub-species are Gulf-coast Box turtles, Yucatan Box-turtle, Florida box-turtle, Mexican box-turtle, and the three-toed box turtle. Common Box Turtles Common Box Turtle Diet Common Box Turtle Care Published on October 26th 2016 by staff under Turtles. Turtle, any reptile with a body encased in a bony shell, including tortoises. The Common Eastern box turtle – Terrapene carolina carolina. In addition, box turtles can contract a painful condition known as shell rot, which is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. Without it, they can develop metabolic bone disease and even die. Very little overlap occurs between the ranges of the subspecies of Terrapene carolina , except for a region in Mississippi and Alabama where T. c. triunguis and T. c. carolina overlap. The enclosure for this species should follow that of the regular aquatic turtle set-up. When indoors, be sure to turn off the lamp at night to mimic a natural day-night cycle. Development brings with it an additional threat in the form of increased infrastructure, as Common box turtles are frequently killed on roads and highways. Box Turtles are some of the most common, and the Eastern Box Turtle is a particularly popular choice. Native to North America, the common box turtle has a high-domed upper shell that's primarily brown patterned with yellow or orange. Of these, the most commonly kept box turtle pet types include the common Eastern box turtle, the 3-toed box turtle, the Gulf Coast box turtle and the Western Ornate (desert) box turtle. The turtle shell has a top (carapace) and a bottom (plastron). It is found throughout the eastern United States and Mexico. These animals are actually indigenous to Mexico and also in the U.S. Box turtles aren't considered suitable pets for young children or for new pet owners. Listen to a box turtle’s trill. If kept indoors, use a terrarium that’s at least 40 gallons. They are known for their beautiful box-like patterns on their dome-shaped shells, and are quite a common summer sight in the forests where they live. The majority of adult males have red irises, while those of the female are yellowish-brown. Expect to spend your time cleaning and maintaining their enclosure at least weekly, as well as feeding them every day or two. Make sure they’re getting plenty of greens and protein. After 70 to 80 days of incubation, the eggs hatch, and the small hatchlings emerge from the nest in late summer. Each night they find a safe, protected place to sleep, like under a rock or low plant. Common Box Turtle on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_box_turtle, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/21641/97428179. Because we offer such a wide selection, we have everything from the common box turtle for sale, including the eastern box turtle, baby eastern box turtles for sale. However, there is an estimated population of its subspecies Yucatan box turtle which is most likely less than 10,000 individuals. The Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), also known as the common box turtle, is a species of turtle with 6 existing subspecies. Plus, it can make the enclosure look and feel more natural. Common box turtles are omnivores and scavengers. 2018, doi:10.1186/s13071-018-2936-z, Selecting a Reptile. It features a rather small head with a hooked upper jaw and tends to be an interesting pet with a distinctive personality. The eastern box turtle is one of 6 subspecies of common box turtles. By using The Spruce Pets, you accept our, Common Box Turtle Behavior and Temperament, Building an Outdoor Pen for Pet Box Turtles, How to Take Care of Turtles and Tortoises, How to Transport Red-Eared Slider Turtles by Car, 12 Best Saltwater Aquarium Products of 2021, The 9 Best Bearded Dragon Supplies of 2021, Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Quick-Clumping Cat Litter Review. 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