Gulf Coast Box Turtle

1 Overview

The Gulf Coast Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina major) is a subspecies of the Common Box Turtle and the largest of the subspecies. It is distributed along the U.S. Gulf Coast bordering Mexico. A typical omnivore, adults can reach a maximum carapace length of 18 cm, grow quickly, and are relatively easy to keep.

Chinese name: Gulf Coast Box Turtle

English name: Gulf Coast Box Turtle

Latin name: Terrapene carolina major

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Testudines

Family: Emydidae

Genus: Terrapene

Species: Common Box Turtle

Subspecies: Gulf Coast Box Turtle

Geographic distribution: Mainly the four U.S. states bordering the Gulf of Mexico—Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida.

Reproduction: Oviparous.

Behavior: Because its range includes much swamp terrain, it generally needs a fairly humid environment.

Size: Carapace 13–18 cm. The Gulf Coast Box Turtle lacks distinctive coloration; its carapace and skin vary in shade, with dot- or stripe-like patterns that not every individual shows. Some adults develop white patches on the face, making it a rather hard subspecies to identify.

Diet: Omnivorous, mainly fruit, mushrooms, earthworms, snails, and insects.

Care: Omnivorous and as hardy and easy to keep as other subspecies. It is less fond of leafy greens, preferring fruit, mushrooms, earthworms, snails, and insects. In the U.S., some keepers periodically feed it pinkie mice or chicks, which it fully accepts.

2 Physical Characteristics

The Gulf Coast Box Turtle is widely distributed, but its appearance varies with age, environment, and weather—especially carapace color, which is not identical for every individual, making the species hard to identify.

The Gulf Coast Box Turtle’s carapace is 13–18 cm and it is the largest of all box turtles, with adults often exceeding 20 cm. It likes humid environments and is often found in the wild near large shallow bodies of water, including western Florida, the interior Gulf Coast region, and southern Louisiana. The turtles distributed in Florida are the purest form; those in Louisiana are likely hybrids with the Three-toed Box Turtle but lean toward Gulf Coast traits. The Gulf Coast Box Turtle has no distinctive pattern of its own; females have brown carapaces with almost no pattern.

The Gulf Coast Box Turtle lacks distinctive coloration; its carapace and skin vary in shade, with dot- or stripe-like patterns that not every individual shows. Some adults develop white patches on the face, making it a rather hard subspecies to identify. Its breeding habits are similar to the Three-toed Box Turtle, and success requires only the most basic conditions. Egg incubation and juvenile care are not difficult.

3 Care & Husbandry

The Gulf Coast Box Turtle is fairly common among box turtles, but not many are kept, mainly because its price is relatively high and its appearance is less attractive than the Eastern Box Turtle, so its numbers are below those of the Eastern.

The Gulf Coast Box Turtle gets its name because all box turtle members can tightly close their plastron, forming a solid ‘box’ against predators. Evidence of this effective protection shows on the shells of Gulf Coast Box Turtles—many wild-caught individuals bear bite and claw marks. After several unsuccessful attempts, many predators give up and seek easier prey. Once danger passes, the turtle opens its shell and resumes normal shape.

However, young Gulf Coast Box Turtles cannot use this defense. Their abdominal hinge takes 2–6 years to mature. The juveniles are timid and shy, usually living in hiding near ponds. Though largely terrestrial, they often soak in ponds for hours or even a whole day, especially in summer. Despite loving water, they are poor swimmers and will drown if it is too deep.

The Gulf Coast Box Turtle has long been kept as a pet and remains very popular. In captivity, environment is crucial. Properly kept, they quickly lose their wariness of people and come to enjoy this lifestyle. Suitable for both beginners and veterans, the Gulf Coast Box Turtle is a fine choice.

4 Natural Habitat

The Gulf Coast Box Turtle is not demanding about its enclosure—just provide the typical semi-aquatic turtle environment. It likes a slightly humid setting, so you can plant greenery around it or provide more water.

Except for the Bog Turtle, all box turtles have similar enclosure requirements; the only differences are environmental humidity and how damp the substrate is. Provide a water dish the turtle can fully submerge in, but not too deep, to avoid drowning. All box turtle species soak in the dish for hours or even a whole day. Keep the water clean.

As for substrate, use bark (but not cedar or pine), soil, paper towels, sand, smooth river pebbles, outdoor carpet, newspaper, moss, dry leaves, and so on. Humidity depends on the species kept—for example, the Eastern Box Turtle suits a higher-humidity environment than the western subspecies.

Enclosure size depends on the turtle’s size, personality, number, and sex. A simple 90 × 60 cm tub suits several sub-adults, but only one pair or one adult group. If more than one adult male is present, make the enclosure as large as possible, because males become aggressive during breeding season. A comfortable, safe hiding place must be provided inside.

5 Feeding & Husbandry

The Gulf Coast Box Turtle is a typical omnivore; palatable plants and most animal feeds can be offered. As juveniles it shows no strong food preference, but adults lean toward animal feeds.

1. Vegetable Feeds

Dark leafy greens (such as romaine, mustard greens), cabbage, and the like are suitable vegetable feeds. Iceberg lettuce is not recommended as it has almost no nutrition. Because of its high oxalic acid, spinach should only be an occasional feed, as too much causes kidney problems. Carrots and beets can be cooked soft, mixed evenly, and cooled as feed. Alfalfa sprouts, green beans, pea pods, soybean leaves, moist alfalfa, dandelion leaves and flowers, clover, and hibiscus flowers are all good foods. Note that when feed contains high-protein vegetables like soybeans and peas, do not feed only those.

2. Animal Feeds

The Gulf Coast Box Turtle quickly snaps at crawling insects and worms. Adults, especially sub-adults, seem to love chasing various insects—crickets, grasshoppers, waxworms, red worms, large earthworms, butterfly and moth larvae, and so on. Other animal feeds include fresh small fish, beef heart, chicken and organs, and high-quality low-fat dog food.