t3056 ~ Eastern Box Turtle ~ Terrapene carolina carolina

Photographed (2009) in Lake County, Michigan.

The Eastern Box Turtle is a small land turtle with a high domed carapace and a hinged plastron which allows it to close its shell tightly to protect its head, legs and tail. The carapace has a slight keel along the midline and ranges from 5 to 8 inches (12 to 20 cm) in length. The carapace is brown or black with a highly variable pattern of yellow or orange markings within each scute. The plastron can be yellowish, brown, or black and is either plain or marked with blotches or lines. Males are usually larger and more brightly colored than females. Males often have reddish or pinkish eyes and a concave plastron. Eyes are brown in females. Plastron is flat or slightly convex in females. Some of this information is from the Michigan Natural Features Inventory website.

Michigan T/E List Status: Special Concern (SC)

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