Literaturdatenbank
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Farrell, T. M., Dodd, K. C., & May, P. G. (2006). Terrapene carolina – eastern box turtle. In P. A. Meylan (Ed.), Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles Vol. 3, (pp. 235–248).
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (06 Jul 2014 16:10:43 UTC) |
| Resource type: Book Article BibTeX citation key: Farrell2006 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Clemmys guttata, Emydidae, Glyptemys insculpta, Habitat - habitat, Nordamerika - North America, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Terrapene carolina Creators: Dodd, Farrell, May, Meylan Collection: Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles |
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The Eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina, is one of two terrestrial turtles found in Florida. The high-domed shell with a hinged plastron that can completely enclose the turtle makes this species familiar both to Florida residents and visitors. Two subspecies, the Florida box turtle, T. c. bauri, and the Gulf Coast box turtle, T. c. major, are found predominantly within Florida. Historically, four subspecies have been identified as occurring in Florida, although it is unlikely that non-hybridized Eastern box turtle, T. c. carolina, and three-toed box turtle, T. c. triunguis, occur within the state. Box turtles are found throughout Florida in a wide variety of habitats, including coastal floodplains, grasslands, marshes, and mesic forests. Box turtles are omnivorous but there is no quantitative information on diet. Box turtles mature at approximately 5–8 yrs of age, and adult females produce an average of approximately 8 eggs per year. While often perceived as “common”, the population status of box turtles is not well understood, but population studies in geographically distributed areas indicate that population densities range from 4.8 to 16.4 individuals/ha in suitable habitat. Juvenile turtles appear rare in many populations and the sex ratio of adults varies geographically from 53–61% male. Fire and predators that consume eggs and hatchlings are important sources of mortality. The role of disease, including upper respiratory tract disease, needs more study. Although not a current threat to Florida Terrapene, domestic and international trade likely contributed to the depletion of populations in the past. Box turtles are listed on Appendix II of CITES and commercial collecting is banned within Florida. Inasmuch as a great amount of box turtle habitat has been developed or fragmented many populations may be in peril.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |