Turtles are reptiles. All reptiles breath air, and have skin covered in scales or scutes. Most reptiles, including turtles, lay eggs. Reptiles are also “cold-blooded” which means they use their environment to control their body temperature. For instance, they may sit on a rock in the sun to warm up, or go in the water or shade to cool off.

After maturity (which means they are adult turtles), turtles do not appear to age as they grow older. They are more likely to die from a predator, loss of habitat, or being hit by a car than to die from old age.

Box turtles can live to be over 100 years old.

Box turtles are omnivores and will eat almost anything they can find including earthworms, insects, fruit, mushrooms, vegetation, and even dead animals.

When box turtles are young they will eat more meat and insects, after they are full grown they eat mostly fruits and vegetation.

The top shell of a turtle is called the carapace. Eastern box turtles have a tall dome shaped carapace.

The bottom shell of a turtle is called the plastron. The plastron of a box turtle has a hinge which allows the turtle to completely close its shell.

Turtles can not take off their shells. The shell is as much a part of the turtle as your skin is of you.

When a turtle’s shell is hurt or injured it can heal. Even turtles Even a turtle with lots of damage to his shell can survive and have the shell reform.

Box turtles burrow down in the leaf litter to hide from enemies and also to get warmer or colder.