Terrapene carolina major
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gulf Coast Box Turtle |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Terrapene carolina major Agassiz, 1878 |
The Gulf Coast Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina major) is the largest species of North American box turtle.
[edit] Description
Gulf coast box turtles have a domed shell which can grow to 8 inches in length. It is generally dark brown or black in color, with yellow striping or blotching, the amount of blotching or striping can vary greatly.
[edit] Distribution & Habitat
The gulf coast box turtle can be found along the Gulf of Mexico from the state of Louisiana to the state of Florida. Intergrading with other subspecies of box turtle that it shares range with is not uncommon. They are often found around estuaries and swampy regions, near shallow, permanent bodies of water.