Over the past week I have spotted Woodland Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) at two different locations in my local area. The red eyes of both turtles suggest that that they are males, though I have read that eye color is not always 100% accurate in determining the gender of a box turtle. The shell pattern for each box turtle is supposed to be unique, like a fingerprint, and you can definitely see differences in the patterns on the shells of these two turtles.
It is always a treat to spot one of these box turtles, because they are so cool-looking. Unlike many turtles, the box turtle is primarily terrestrial rather than aquatic, and most of the times that I have encountered them, they have been out in the open. According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), “The box turtle has a low reproductive rate and is long lived. It requires 10-20 years to reach sexual maturity. Box turtles may sometimes live to over 100 years.”
Virginia has special protections for this species. According to the DWR, “it is illegal to keep one in your home in Virginia due to the significant number of wild caught animals found in captivity. This species is primarily threatened due to the thousands that are caught for the pet trade from the wild each year; although habitat fragmentation and urbanization also account for a fraction of the population’s drop of 32% over the last 100 years.”
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
So solid looking, almost prehistoric. Such rich colours, thank you!
Thanks, Robert. Turtles definitely have been around for a long time and I can see why you might see them as prehistoric. I especially have that feeling when I see the much larger Snapping Turtles, like the one I featured in this posting a few years ago. https://michaelqpowell.com/2018/05/28/portrait-of-a-snapping-turtle/
I had one at my front door this week and the next day he was at my back slider. I guess he found something about the place he likes. First one I’ve seen in a few years. I’m always careful mowing living next to the woods. Thanks for the education on the red eyes for males.
I am thrilled anytime that I spot one of these box turtles, so it is cool to hear of your encounters with them. Most of the time males have red eyes and females have brown eyes, but there apparently are exceptions. 🙂
Wonderful neighbors, aren’t they?
Blue Rock HorsesFrederick County, Virginiabluerockhorses.com
<
div dir=”ltr”>
Aw, what a great find.