Reptile
common box turtle Facts
Terrapene carolina
- Lifespan
- Up to 138 years (maximum recorded longevity)
common box turtle Facts at a Glance
It belongs to the family Emydidae in the order Testudines. This profile is designed as a concise starting point; the source names below document the review basis.
common box turtle Conservation Status
common box turtle is listed here as Vulnerable. Protecting habitat, maintaining healthy prey or food sources, and reducing human pressure are important parts of conserving wild populations.
Quick facts
- Lifespan
- Up to 138 years (maximum recorded longevity)
Fun facts
- Common box turtles are predominantly terrestrial reptiles that are often seen early in the day, or after rain, when they emerge from the shelter of rotting leaves, logs, or a mammal burrow to forage.
- Courtship in the common box turtle, which usually takes place in spring, begins with a "circling, biting and shoving" phase.
- Similarly, the turtle may urinate on its hind limbs to cool the body parts it is unable to cover with saliva.
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Sources and image credit
Animal facts are reviewed against the references below. The photograph remains available under the stated license.