Terrapene carolina carolina

The nominate form, the Eastern Box Turtle, is found in the US states from Massachusetts to Illinois and Georgia (see map in figure 1). The species inhabits pastures, marshy meadows as well as open woodlands and shores of rivers and lakes. Adult animals have highdomed brown or black carapaces with a variable pattern of yellowish stripes and blotches. Maximal carapace length is ca. 16 cm. The hind legs contain four toes.