News & Events

Turtle of the Week: Eastern Box Turtle

Spotlight on a native species in need

If you live in the eastern United States, you may come across one of these brightly colored box turtles in your own yard! These turtles are found as far north as Maine, and as far west as Texas. They are also often found around the property at the Turtle Survival Center.

The Eastern Box Turtle faces threats of habitat destruction and fragmentation, which can lead to an increase in road and railroad mortality. Although it is now protected from commercial collection in every state in which it naturally occurs, the illegal pet trade is still a large threat to this turtle. Turtle Survival Alliance has been instrumental in advocating for changes to laws which now protect this species.

• Pictured: Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)
• Countries of Origin: United States, Canada (extirpated)
• Habitat: Forests, scrub, fields, meadows, swamps, marshes, and thickets
• Wild Population: Decreasing; abundant in some areas, while scarce in others
• IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
• Threats: Habitat destruction and fragmentation; road and railroad mortality; disease transmission; collection for personal use; illegal pet trade

Turtle Survival Alliance works to protect this species through repatriation and reintroduction programs, genetic mapping, combatting illegal trade & trafficking, and education & awareness campaigns.