Three-toed Box Turtle
Terrapene triunguis
T. triunguis have high, domelike shells. The carapace is often uniformly olive sometimes with scattered light spots. Hindlimbs have 3 toes.
How to identify
T. triunguis have high, domelike shells. The carapace is often uniformly olive sometimes with scattered light spots. Hindlimbs have 3 toes.
Range
T. triunguis is a land dweller inhabiting the south-central United States. Its range stretches from eastern Texas and Oklahoma eastward through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and western Georgia up into Missouri and southern Illinois.
Habitat
These turtles favor a mix of woodlands and open areas. Suitable habitats include grasslands, savannas, deciduous forests with clearings, and forest edges.
Similar species
Name and etymology
Genus
Terrapene
Derived from the Algonquian word for turtle.
Origin
Sources
- Merrem, 1820. Tent. Syst. Amph., p. 27
Terrapene. Merrem, 1820 - Tent. Syst. Amph., p. 27
Species epithet
triunguis
Latin for three (tri) claws (unguis), referring to the three toes on hind feet
Origin
Sources
- (Agassiz, 1857). Contr. Nat. Hist. U.S., Vol. 1, p. 445 ↗
Terrapene carolina triunguis. (Agassiz, 1857) - Contr. Nat. Hist. U.S., Vol. 1, p. 445
Explore more names in the etymology index.
More illustrations
Female
At a glance
Range
T. triunguis is a land dweller inhabiting the south-central United States. Its range stretches from eastern Texas and Oklahom…
Habitat
These turtles favor a mix of woodlands and open areas. Suitable habitats include grasslands, savannas, deciduous forests with…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap