Reptile

common box turtle Facts Terrapene carolina

Reptile

Lifespan: Up to 138 years (maximum recorded longevity)

Classification

Family: Emydidae. Order: Testudines.

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.