Occurrences

Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

The Eastern Box Turtle is Michigan's only truly terrestrial turtle. It typically occurs in forested habitats with sandy soils near a source of water such as a stream, pond, lake, marsh or swamp. They also may be found in adjacent thickets, old fields, pastures, or vegetated dunes. Access to unshaded nesting sites in sandy, open areas, is critical for successful reproduction.

Natural Community Types

• Coastal fen
• Great lakes marsh
• Inundated shrub swamp
• Mesic northern forest
• Mesic southern forest
• Northern fen
• Northern hardwood swamp
• Northern shrub thicket
• Oak openings
• Oak-pine barrens
• Prairie fen
• Southern hardwood swamp
• Southern shrub-carr

Methodology

Management Recommendations

Conservation efforts should concentrate on protecting large tracts of habitat especially on public land to provide the box turtle additional protection from the effects of development. Wetland hydrology and quality should be maintained by preventing improper off-road vehicle use, implementing minimum development set-back distances, leaving buffer zones during timber harvest, grazing and agricultural operations, minimizing use of herbicides and pesticides in or near wetlands, and/or controlling invasive plants. Upland nesting areas should be identified, protected and in some cases created. Construction of new roads should be minimized or routed to avoid separating foraging and/or overwintering habitat from nesting areas. Finally, the public should be educated about the laws protecting reptiles and amphibians and encouraged to leave wild turtles in their natural habitats rather than collecting them for pets.

Active Period

Active from fourth week of April to fourth week of October

Breeding from first week of May to second week of October

Nesting from first week of June to third week of July

Survey Methods

Eastern Box Turtles can be seen anytime during the active season between April and October, although most sightings coincide with nesting or egg laying which occurs from early June through mid-July. Weather is an important factor in determining turtle activity as they often emerge to feed and are often found after a rainstorm. Otherwise, box turtles spend a great deal of time buried under leaf litter, brush piles and rotting logs, especially during hot, dry weather.

Visual encounter surveys

Survey Period: From first week of June to third week of July

Time of Day: Daytime
Air Temperature: Above 60 degrees
Precipitation: Just after rain

Survey Period: From fourth week of April to fourth week of October

Time of Day: Daytime
Air Temperature: Above 60 degrees
Precipitation: Just after rain

References

Survey References

• Karns, D.R. 1986. Field Herpetology: Methods for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles in Minnesota. Occ. Pap. No. 18. J.F. Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Technical References

• Ernst, C.H., J.E. Lovich, and R.W. Barbour. 1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 578pp.

• Harding, J.H. 1997.Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region. The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor. 378pp.

• Harding, J.H. and J.A. Holman. 1990. Michigan Turtles and Lizards. East Lansing Cooperative Extension Service, Michigan State University Bulletin E-2234. 94pp.

• Hyde, D.A. 1999. Special Animal Abstract for Terrapene c. carolina (Eastern box turtle). Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. 3pp.

• Stickel, L.F. 1950. Populations and home range relationships of the box turtle, Terrapene c. carolina (Linnaeus). Ecological Monographs. 20: 352-378.

More Information

• Terrapene carolina carolina abstract