Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina · Also known as: box turtle
Terrestrial turtle that can close up completely in its hinged shell. NPS notes Assateague box turtles burrowing under vegetation in extreme weather.
Quick facts
| Group | Turtle |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★☆☆ |
| Habitats | Maritime forest, Dunes, Assateague State Park, Assateague National Seashore, Mainland near OC |
| Seasons (this coast) | spring, summer, fall |
How to recognize them
- High-domed shell with yellow-orange markings on a brown background; hinged plastron seals shut.
- Males often have red eyes; females usually brown eyes.
Biology notes
- Lives on land in forests and shrub; omnivorous diet of fungi, fruit, insects, and carrion.
- Long-lived; home ranges are small—moving a turtle “out of the road” should keep it pointed the same direction.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Assateague maritime forest and shrub thickets after rain.
- Mainland woods and yards west of Ocean City.
When to look
- Active in warm, humid weather; brumates in winter.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- If helping a turtle cross a road, move it in the direction it was heading—don’t relocate far away.
- Never collect box turtles as pets.
