Skip to content

Join us for Turtle Month!

Turtle Month 2025
  • Turtle Survival Center
  • Annual Symposium 2025
  • News & Events
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Turtle Survival Center
  • Annual Symposium 2025
  • News & Events
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • What We Do
  • What You Can do
Donate
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Staff & Board
    • Publications
    • Financials & Policies
    • Strategic Plan 2025
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • Turtle Survival Center
    • Global Projects
    • Volunteer Science
    • Confiscation to Conservation
    • Annual Symposium 2025
    • News & Events
  • What You Can Do
    • Explore Turtles & Tortoises Around the World
    • Virtual Outreach Experience
    • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Drink Beer. Save Turtles.®
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Staff & Board
    • Publications
    • Financials & Policies
    • Strategic Plan 2025
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • Turtle Survival Center
    • Global Projects
    • Volunteer Science
    • Confiscation to Conservation
    • Annual Symposium 2025
    • News & Events
  • What You Can Do
    • Explore Turtles & Tortoises Around the World
    • Virtual Outreach Experience
    • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Drink Beer. Save Turtles.®
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Who We Are
  • Staff & Board
  • Publications
  • Financials & Policies
  • Strategic Plan 2025
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Why Turtles?

Found around the world in rivers, deserts, jungles, and our own backyards, it’s easy to assume tortoises and freshwater turtles will always be here. But the very traits that once helped them survive render them vulnerable to extinction today.
Support Our Work

Our Initiatives

  • Turtle Survival Center
  • Global Projects
  • Volunteer Science
  • Confiscation to Conservation
  • Annual Symposium

Our Programs

Protecting the world’s most endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles

We All Play a Role.

To save turtles, we all play a role. Every day, tortoises and freshwater turtles around the globe face pressing threats. Your support equips us to support species where and how they need us most.

Turtles are ancient and remarkable creatures who deserve a champion. When you stand with us, you help ensure their continued survival. Together, we can create a world with zero turtle extinctions.

Support Our Work

Learn & Discover

  • Explore Turtles & Tortoises Around the World
  • Virtual Outreach Experience

Make an Impact

  • Donate
  • Become a Member
  • Corporate Partnership
  • Drink Beer. Save Turtles®

Terrapene carolina carolina

Eastern Box Turtle

Habitat:

Forests, scrub, fields, meadows, swamps, marshes, and thickets

Threats:

– Habitat destruction and fragmentation
– Road and railroad mortality
– Disease transmission
– Collection for personal use and the illegal pet trade

Wild Population:

Decreasing; abundant in some areas, while scarce in others

Conservation Efforts:

– Repatriation and reintroduction programs
– Field surveys
– Protected from commercial collection in all range states

Endangered Status:

Vulnerable

Species Snapshot

Fast Facts

They have the most advanced closure system with their plastron.

During the winter the Eastern Box Turtle selects microhabitats to stay in that are warmer.

3 image 4 4

Eastern Box 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.

About Us
  • Who We Are
  • Staff & Board
  • Publications
  • Financials & Policies
  • Strategic Plan 2025
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
What We Do
  • Turtle Survival Center
  • Madagascar
  • NAFTRG
  • AZA SAFE
  • Annual Symposium 2025
What You Can Do
  • Explore Turtles & Tortoises
  • Virtual Outreach Experience
  • Become a Member
  • Drink Beer. Save Turtles.®
  • News & Events
Donate
Subscribe for Turtle Newsletter
© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy

Subscribe for Turtle News

Subscribe to receive the Turtle Survival Alliance email newsletter and stay up-to-date on the latest in turtle conservation.