Meet the Eastern Box Turtle

Box Turtle_103 16x9

Eastern box turtles are native to the Eastern United States and can be found throughout Connecticut near streams, grassy areas, fields and woodlands. 

Similar to people, no two are alike!

Each individual turtle has distinctive markings and lives its whole life within a home range of about 2 acres.

Box turtles are approximately 5-6 inches long and are distinguished by their domed shell.

What you can do to help the turtles

• Check before you mow!   In the heat of the day box turtles will hide under leaves or in grassy areas.  Use caution with power trimmers and lawn mowers during summer months.

• Watch for turtles on the road during May, June and July when they are especially active. 

• If a turtle can be safely moved from a road, be sure to place it on the side it was heading towards. Never relocate a turtle to an area that is far from where it was found.

• Never capture or keep a wild turtle as a pet.  Turtles should not be moved or handled unless they are in danger.

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• Box turtles are poor swimmers and should not be placed in water. 

• It’s important to leave nesting turtles undisturbed.

turtle (16) Box Turtles Mating_111

Fun facts

The box turtle is named for its ability to completely close up its shell like a trap door.

Box turtles can live to be up to 100 years old.

Male box turtles have bright red eyes and females have brown eyes.

Box turtles are omnivorous and will eat almost anything they can fit into their mouths including insects, berries, amphibians, worms, fungi and more.

During winter months, box turtles hibernate by burrowing into loose soil and decaying vegetation.

Turtle June 07 (1) H062007Camera shy Eastern Box Turtle. Killingly, CT turtle (24) H052007Box turtle makes his way through the uderbrush

CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

lists the box turtle as a species of special concern. 

Much of this information was sourced from the DEEP

website at http://www.ct.gov/deep/ as well as other sources.