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Virginia now has a state bat to go with its state bird, flower, dog, insect, fossil, etc. But no state turtle! If it ever comes up, we’d like to nominate the eastern box turtle (Terrapene Carolina), probably the most familiar of Virginia’s terrestrial turtles.
This turtle gets its common name from the boxy, highdomed shell. The upper shell (carapace) has the familiar dark brown and yellow pigmentation, and the lower shell (plastron) has a moveable hinge to permit closing of the front end. When disturbed, a box turtle can withdraw its head, tail and limbs completely within the shell.
In Virginia box turtles are active during all but the coldest winter months. They can be seen wandering around in search of food, later on basking in the sun or resting in shallow trenches.
They consume anything edible that can be found or caught. Studies indicate about half the diet of these turtles is plants and mushrooms, and the other half is invertebrates, especially earthworms, slugs and snails.
Turtle traits
Box turtles are most noticeable during the reproductive period. This can begin as early as April but is most evident in May and June. We’re seeing a lot of them now. Mating and nesting typically take place in the same areas each year.
Males in search of females are usually observed first at nesting sites. Males will court and attempt to mate with any females they encounter.
Mated females will then begin to search for appropriate sites to excavate nests.
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