Species guide
Eastern box turtle
HarmlessTerrapene carolina
How to recognise it
A land turtle with a high domed shell and a hinged lower shell (plastron) it can close completely, sealing itself in. Shell marked with variable yellow-orange blotches.
Is it dangerous?
Harmless. Like all turtles it can carry Salmonella, so wash your hands after any contact.
What to do
Never take a wild box turtle home, and don't relocate it — they live in a small home range and may die trying to return. Help one across a road in its direction of travel, then wash your hands.
Recorded 81,781 times in the wild worldwide.
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