The Eastern Box Turtle can be found across North Carolina in a wide variety of habitat types. Primarily terrestrial in nature, these turtles also spend a fair amount of time in shallow wetlands, creeks, and streams, especially during the hotter parts of the year. The Eastern Box Turtle is our only native turtle capable of completely closing itself within its shell, hence its common name. Generalists in diet, they will eat a variety of plants and fruits, as well as many different species of invertebrates, such as earthworms, slugs, and snails, and even some small vertebrates. Box turtles live a long time and some individuals have been noted to live 80-100 years!

Unfortunately, box turtles have suffered declines due to development and fragmentation of habitats. Roads pose a considerable risk and many are run over each year. If you encounter a box turtle on a road, and wish to help it across, first make sure you stay safe yourself - people have also been hit by cars attempting to help wildlife cross roads. If you can assist the turtle safely, and only if safe for you, make sure to carry the turtle across the road in the direction it was headed. Do not carry the turtle to a far away location, as box turtles have very defined home ranges and do not fare well if removed outside of these known areas.