EASTERN BOX TURTLE 

SCIENTIFIC NAME:-           Terrapene Carolina

OCCURRENCE:-                 USA , West to Texas

HABITAT:-                        Most forested areas

SIZE:-                              Length 10 to 20cm

FAMILY:-                          Emydidae            

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:-

1. It has a body enclosed in a shell made of modified horny scales and bone.
2. The coloration and the pattern varies as the catapace varies but it is nearly always dome shaped.
3. It has a long , flexible neck that can be withdrawn into the shell.
4. The ribs are vertebrae are attached to the shell and pelvic and pectoral girdles lie within the shell with limbs emerging sideways.
5. It eats almost anything like slugs , earthworms , fruit , poisonous mushrooms  etc.
6. It is a poor swimmer and stays in shallow water or mostly on land.
7. It hibernates throughout the winter and mating takes place in spring after courtship rituals.
8. The female lays 3-8 eggs in a flask-shaped pit which she digs.
9. Females can store sperms and lay eggs several years after mating.