Ellie Mae the Eastern Box Turtle

Hatched: Unknown

Arrived at WSWC: August 3, 2021

Sex: Female

Ellie, like many Eastern Box Turtles, came to the wildlife center with injuries to her lower shell called the plastron. Sadly, the injuries were so severe that a piece of her shell fell off, leaving her exposed to predators. While the area has grown a protective layer of tissue, it is not hard enough for Ellie to return to the wild safely. Ellie enjoys hiding in the tall grasses of her outdoor enclosure.

About Eastern Box Turtles

  • Size: Typically range from 4.6 - 6 inches in length. Largest known Eastern Box Turtle was 9.25 inches in shell length. Hatchlings emerge from the egg only 1.25 inches in length.

  • Lifespan: Between 50-80 years in the wild and in captivity. Oldest known Eastern Box Turtle lived to be 138 years old!

  • Diet: Eastern Box Turtles are omnivores, eating a variety of plants and animal matter. Young box turtles consume more animal matter than adults who typically eat more plants.

  • Reproduction: Male and female turtles reach sexual maturity between five and 10 years of age. Nesting begins in May and lasts until July with females digging nests to lay their eggs and bury them. One successful mating can produce fertile eggs for up to 4 years! Females generally lay one to five clutches of one to 11 eggs per year. Generally, only 1 in 1,000 eggs will survive to adulthood.

  • Range: Prefer thick woodlands and are more terrestrial than other native turtle species. However, they still spend time swimming and enjoying time in moist areas. Eastern Box Turtles can be found from southern Maine to southern Illinois and as far south as Alabama and Georgia.

  • Important Facts: Populations of Eastern Box Turtles are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Red List due to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, poaching, pollution and climate change. The biggest causes of admissions to the wildlife center include vehicle collisions, farm/gardening equipment collisions, interactions with domestic dogs and infections. Turtle eggs have more predators than adults, making each adult breeding individual critical to overall population health!