Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina carolina
NH Conservation Status: State endangered
State Rank Status: Status of box turtles in New Hampshire not known, only 2 small populations have been identified and are currently being monitored.
Distribution: Reports received from southern New Hampshire.
Description: A small 4.5-7 inch turtle with a highly domed shell and variable patterning. Color patterns of the carapace typically consist of irregular yellow or orange markings over a brown or black base. The skin is uniformly dark with yellow or orange markings.
Commonly Confused Species: Blanding's turtle
Habitat: Terrestrial areas such as dry and moist woodlands, old fields, pastures, power-line corridors, and edges of marshes, bogs, and shallow streams. During hot weather, may rest in water or burrow under logs and moist vegetation.
Life History: During summer, excavates nests in loose, loamy soil in open areas such as hayfields, pastures, or roadsides. Hibernates under soil, decaying vegetation, or in mammal burrows.
Conservation Threats: Habitat loss and fragmentation, road mortality, and collection for pets.