Three-toed box turtle

Three-toed box turtle
Conservation status
	; Secure (NatureServe)
	CITES Appendix II (CITES)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Superfamily:	Testudinoidea
Family:	Emydidae
Genus:	Terrapene
Species:	T. triunguis
Binomial name
	Terrapene triunguis; (Agassiz, 1857)
Synonyms
	Cistudo triunguis; Agassiz, 1857; Cistudo carolina var. triunguis; — Garman, 1892; Terrapene triunguis; — Baur, 1893; Onychotria triunguis; — Cope, 1895; Terrapene carolina triunguis; — Strecker, 1910; Terrapene whitneyi; O.P. Hay, 1916; Terrapene bulverda; O.P. Hay, 1920; Terrapene impressa; O.P. Hay, 1924; Terrapene llanensis; Oelrich, 1953;

Last updated October 08, 2024

The three-toed box turtle (Terrapene triunguis) is a species within the genus of hinge-shelled turtles commonly referred to as box turtles. This species is native to the south-central part of the United States and is the official reptile of the state of Missouri.^[4] It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the eastern box turtle as T. carolina triunguis.^[5]^[6]

Description

Three-toed box turtles are so named due to the number of toes on the back feet,^[5] but some four-toed examples have been recorded as well.^[6] However, some speculate^{[ who? ]} that the four-toed individuals are actually eastern box turtle × three-toed box turtle hybrids. Three-toed box turtles have a domed shell which grows to 5–7 inches (13–18 cm) in length. The highest part of its carapace or upper shell is more posteriorly positioned than in any of the other subspecies.^[5] The dorsal and limb coloration is commonly completely absent, although some dark blotches are common in adult turtles. These areas more often being a uniform olive green or tan color. Sometimes, faint yellow dots or lines are visible in the center of each large scute.^[6] In the males, the head and throat often display yellow, red, or orange spots.^[5]^[7] Frequently, the bottom shell or plastron is a straw yellow color, and has far fewer dark markings than the plastrons of the other subspecies.^[8]

Distribution and habitat

From the west to the east of its range, the three-toed box turtle can be found from eastern Texas to the northern edge of the Florida Panhandle. Its northernmost range is in Missouri and Kansas, while the southernmost one is in Louisiana.^[9] Three-toed box turtles interbreed with other subspecies of common box turtles which overlap the borders of this area. An example of this occurs in the eastern Mississippi valley, where this species is difficult to distinguish from the eastern box turtle.^[10] Being popular in the pet trade, three-toed box turtles are sometimes found well outside of their home range. It is not known whether such captives when released into the wild have any impact on the local species of such areas. These turtles are adaptive, and are possibly the only box turtle who can live happily in an indoor enclosure.^[11]

Diet

Three-toed box turtles are omnivores, their diets varying with availability of food sources and the seasons. They are known to eat earthworms, insects, snails, slugs, strawberries, mushrooms, and green-leafed vegetation. They have been observed eating the eggs of quail. All box turtles will prefer live foods to vegetation.

It has also been speculated that these turtles eat poisonous mushrooms, but are not themselves sickened by the mushroom's toxins. Afterwards, the turtles then become poisonous themselves. Archie Carr ^[12] believed this to be the reason why a group of boys in Mississippi became ill after eating roasted three-toed box turtles.

Behavior

Three-toed box turtles are known to migrate seasonally in order to maintain their preferred humidity level. In Arkansas, three-toed box turtles were observed in grasslands in late spring, while in early spring, summer, and late fall they were found in forested areas.^[13] During dry times, they dig shallow burrows into leaf litter to conserve moisture. When water is available, these turtles soak for longer periods of time than any of the other subspecies.^[10] Brumation is common in three-toed box turtles in order to preserve energy during cold months. They will bury themselves in the dirt and slow down their body processes for up to five months during the winter.

Captivity

Three-toed box turtles require care similar to that of other box turtles, faring best in large, outdoor enclosures. These enclosures should have plenty of room to allow the turtle to burrow, but should also be protected to prevent the turtle from burrowing under enclosure fencing. Indoors, three-toed box turtles should be kept in a large wooden enclosure measuring 6’L x 3’W x 2’H, or otherwise offering roughly 18 square feet of space.

An indoor enclosure should have a high temperature side with a heat bulb at around 85 °F and a lower temperature side at 70–75 °F. Humidity should average between 60–80%. The enclosure should also contain at least one humid cave or hideout for the turtle as well as an area where it can soak. A T5 HO UVB lamp of appropriate strength is required for survival indoors. Peat moss, coconut fiber, and clean topsoil all make acceptable substrates. Desert materials such as gravel or sand would be too dry and difficult for the turtle to dig into, and will cause small scratches susceptible to infections. Many owners simply spray the surface area of the enclosure down at the beginning of the day in order to moisten the material and to increase the humidity of the enclosure.

With good care, three-toed box turtles are capable of living for at least 50 years.

Related Research Articles

Blanding's turtle is a species of semi-aquatic turtle of the family Emydidae. This species is native to central and eastern parts of Canada and the United States. It is considered to be an endangered species throughout much of its range. Blanding's turtle is of interest in longevity research, as it shows few or no common signs of aging and is physically active and capable of reproduction into eight or nine decades of life.

The painted turtle is the most widespread native turtle of North America. It lives in relatively slow-moving fresh waters, from southern Canada to northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They have been shown to prefer large wetlands with long periods of inundation and emergent vegetation. This species is one of the few that is specially adapted to tolerate freezing temperatures for extended periods of time due to an antifreeze-like substance in their blood that keeps their cells from freezing. This turtle is a member of the genus Chrysemys, which is part of the pond turtle family Emydidae. Fossils show that the painted turtle existed 15 million years ago. Three regionally based subspecies evolved during the last ice age. The southern painted turtle (C. dorsalis) is alternately considered the only other species in Chrysemys, or another subspecies of C. picta.

Pseudemys is a genus of large, herbivorous, freshwater turtles of the eastern United States and adjacent northeast Mexico. They are often referred to as cooters, which stems from kuta, the word for turtle in the Bambara and Malinké languages, brought to America by enslaved people from Africa.

North American box turtles are turtles of the genus Terrapene. Although box turtles are superficially similar to tortoises in terrestrial habits and overall appearance, they are actually members of the American pond turtle family (Emydidae). The 12 taxa which are distinguished in the genus are distributed over seven species. They are largely characterized by having a domed shell which is hinged at the bottom, allowing the animal to retract its head and legs and close its shell tightly to protect itself from predators.

The eastern box turtle is a subspecies within a group of hinge-shelled turtles normally called box turtles. T. c. carolina is native to the Eastern United States.

The common box turtle is a species of box turtle with five existing subspecies. It is found throughout the Eastern United States and Mexico. The box turtle has a distinctive hinged lower shell that allows it to completely enclose itself, like a box. Its upper jaw is hooked. The turtle is primarily terrestrial and eats a wide variety of plants and animals. The females lay their eggs in the summer. Turtles in the northern part of their range hibernate over the winter.

Terrapene ornata is a species of North American box turtle sometimes referred to as the western box turtle or the ornate box turtle. It is one of two recognized species of box turtle in the United States, having two subspecies. The second recognized species of box turtle is the eastern box turtle,Terrapene carolina. T. carolina has six subspecies, two of which are endemic to Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinese box turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Chinese box turtle, also known as the yellow-margined box turtle, or golden-headed turtle, is a species of Asian box turtle. Taxonomically, it is called Cuora flavomarginata.

Sternotherus odoratus is a species of small turtle in the family Kinosternidae. The species is native to southeastern Canada and much of the Eastern United States. It is also known commonly as the common musk turtle, eastern musk turtle, or stinkpot turtle due to its ability to release a foul musky odor from scent glands on the edge of its shell, possibly to deter predation. This turtle is grouped in the same family as mud turtles.

Graptemys is a genus of freshwater turtles containing 14 species, commonly known as map turtles. Graptemys are small to medium-sized turtles that are significantly sexually dimorphic, with females in some species attaining as much as twice the length and ten times the mass as males. Depending on the species, adult males range from 7–16 cm (2.75–6.25 in), adult females 10–29.5 cm (4–11.62 in), and hatchlings 2.5–3.8 cm (1–1.5 in), although some sources indicate female Barbour's map turtles grow to 33 cm (13 in) in length. Most species have a distinctive dark pigmented keel that is often notched or serrated running down the center of the carapace and serrated scutes on the rear margin. The head, neck, and limbs exhibit bold patterns of yellow lines and spots against darker green, olive, or black base colors. The patterns on the head can be important characters in identifying the various species. The common name "map turtle" is derived from the intricate patterns on their shells that are suggestive of topographical maps, although the patterns are more apparent in some species than others, and often become obscure in older specimens. Some species are occasionally called "sawbacks", in reference to the serrated keels on their shell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumberland slider</span> Subspecies of turtle

The Cumberland slider, also called commonly the Cumberland turtle and Troost's turtle, is a subspecies of pond slider, a semiaquatic turtle in the family Emydidae. The subspecies is indigenous to the Southeastern United States.

The Rio Grande cooter is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is native to northeastern Mexico and the adjacent southwestern United States.

The Coahuilan box turtle, also known commonly as the aquatic box turtle, is an endangered species of turtle in the family Emydidae. Unlike the other members of the genus Terrapene, this turtle spends roughly 90% of its time in water.

The false map turtle is a species of turtle endemic to the United States. It is a common pet species. Two subspecies are recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies described here.

The eastern mud turtle or common mud turtle is a common species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. The species is endemic to the United States. There are two recognized subspecies.

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The Florida box turtle is a subspecies of turtle belonging to the family Emydidae and is one of six extant subspecies of the common box turtle

The southern painted turtle is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. It is endemic to the south-central United States.

References

↑ NatureServe (2 June 2023). "Terrapene carolina triunguis". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
↑ Fritz, Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 199. doi: 10.3897/vz.57.e30895 .
↑ "Missouri State Reptile". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
1 2 3 4 Ernst, Carl H.; Barbour, Roger W.; Lovich, Jeffery E. (1994). Turtles of the United States and Canada. Washington, USA: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 253. ISBN 1-56098-346-9.
1 2 3 "Three-Toed Box Turtle". Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
↑ Conant, Roger; Joseph T. Collins (1991) [1958]. Roger T. Peterson (ed.). Peterson's Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, Eastern and Central American. (illustrators) Isabelle H. Conant & Tom R. Johnson (3rd ed.). Boston, USA: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 53. ISBN 0-395-58389-6.
↑ Carr, Archie (1983) [1952]. Handbook of Turtles, The Turtles of the United States, Canada, and Baja California. Ithaca, USA: Cornell University Press. p. 153. ISBN 0-8014-0064-3.
↑ Conant, Roger; Joseph T. Collins (1991) [1958]. Roger T. Peterson (ed.). Peterson's Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, Eastern and Central American. (illustrators) Isabelle H. Conant & Tom R. Johnson (3rd ed.). Boston, USA: Houghton Mifflin Company. Map 31. ISBN 0-395-58389-6.
1 2 Ernst, Carl H.; Barbour, Roger W.; Lovich, Jeffery E. (1994). Turtles of the United States and Canada. Washington, USA: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 255. ISBN 1-56098-346-9.
↑ Conant, Roger; Joseph T. Collins (1991) [1958]. Roger T. Peterson (ed.). Peterson's Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, Eastern and Central American. (illustrators) Isabelle H. Conant & Tom R. Johnson (3rd ed.). Boston, USA: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 52. ISBN 0-395-58389-6.
↑ Carr, Archie (1983) [1952]. Handbook of Turtles, The Turtles of the United States, Canada, and Baja California. Ithaca, USA: Cornell University Press. p. 155. ISBN 0-8014-0064-3.
↑ Kingsbury, Bruce (2005). "Three-toed Box Turtle". The Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management. Indiana-Purdue University. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2006-06-30.

External links

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[1] NatureServe (2 June 2023). "Terrapene carolina triunguis". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 25 June 2023.

[CITES-2] "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.

[Fritz2007-3] Fritz, Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 199. doi: 10.3897/vz.57.e30895 .

[Missouri-4] "Missouri State Reptile". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved 2024-07-22.

[Ernst_1994_253-5] 1 2 3 4 Ernst, Carl H.; Barbour, Roger W.; Lovich, Jeffery E. (1994). Turtles of the United States and Canada. Washington, USA: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 253. ISBN 1-56098-346-9.

[:0-6] 1 2 3 "Three-Toed Box Turtle". Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved 2024-06-15.

[7] Conant, Roger; Joseph T. Collins (1991) [1958]. Roger T. Peterson (ed.). Peterson's Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, Eastern and Central American. (illustrators) Isabelle H. Conant & Tom R. Johnson (3rd ed.). Boston, USA: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 53. ISBN 0-395-58389-6.

[8] Carr, Archie (1983) [1952]. Handbook of Turtles, The Turtles of the United States, Canada, and Baja California. Ithaca, USA: Cornell University Press. p. 153. ISBN 0-8014-0064-3.

[9] Conant, Roger; Joseph T. Collins (1991) [1958]. Roger T. Peterson (ed.). Peterson's Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, Eastern and Central American. (illustrators) Isabelle H. Conant & Tom R. Johnson (3rd ed.). Boston, USA: Houghton Mifflin Company. Map 31. ISBN 0-395-58389-6.

[Ernst_1994_255-10] 1 2 Ernst, Carl H.; Barbour, Roger W.; Lovich, Jeffery E. (1994). Turtles of the United States and Canada. Washington, USA: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 255. ISBN 1-56098-346-9.

[11] Conant, Roger; Joseph T. Collins (1991) [1958]. Roger T. Peterson (ed.). Peterson's Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, Eastern and Central American. (illustrators) Isabelle H. Conant & Tom R. Johnson (3rd ed.). Boston, USA: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 52. ISBN 0-395-58389-6.

[12] Carr, Archie (1983) [1952]. Handbook of Turtles, The Turtles of the United States, Canada, and Baja California. Ithaca, USA: Cornell University Press. p. 155. ISBN 0-8014-0064-3.

[13] Kingsbury, Bruce (2005). "Three-toed Box Turtle". The Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management. Indiana-Purdue University. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2006-06-30.

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