Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

Box Turtles are common throughout North Carolina. Males have bright orange to red eyes. This poor turtle was covered with over 25 large mosquitoes that seemed to be trying to pierce its shell.

Male, New Hanover Co., NC 8/28/04.

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

Female, Orange Co., NC 7/20/07.

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

Female, Orange Co., NC 7/20/07.

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

Females lack the indentation in the lower shell that males have.

Female, Orange Co., NC 7/20/07.

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

This well-marked individual has a unique pattern.

Orange Co., NC 5/18/08.

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

Females have brownish or light orange eyes.

Orange Co., NC 5/18/08.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.