Type of Shell: High domed Carapace, Plastron is hinged.

Three-toed Box turtles are one of 4 races of the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene c. carolina). They are found in central United States, ranging from Alabama to East Texas; and north to southern half of Missouri. This species's habitat consists of deciduous woodlands such as hardwood forests & hardwood swamps. They enjoy the cover of trees, but are often found in higher densities at the edges of forests and wet grasslands.

In many parts of its range, three-toes are active from april to late october. During the heat of the summer, their activity times are usually early mornings, especially after rains. Hibernation sites are often burrows or under dead vegetation.

Their diet consists of berries, small vertebrates, inverts, carrion and fungi. Box turtles play an important role in seed dispersal.

Males tend to grow to a large size than females, and they have red colored irises, while females have peach colored irises. In addition to size and iris color, male three-toed box turtles have curved toes on their hind feet, along with a longer and broader tail.

During the last twenty years or so, box turtles as a genus has seen large population declines. Many have been killed on roads or have been collected for the pet trade. Three-toed box turtles are given some level of protection in every state in its range. Both Alabama and Arkansas prohibits its collection from the wild. Several states prohibit commercial collecting, while a few others have turtle seasons. Unlike traditional game hunting, where adults are taken, turtle populations can not substance the loss of adult breeding individuals. One of maybe fifty to hundred baby turtles make it to adulthood, collecting adults can have serious impacts on the population.

For more information on Box Turtles, please read C. Kenneth Dood, Jr.'s classic book titled: North American Box Turtles: A Natural History.

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