The Mexican box turtle is a species of box turtle that is native to Mexico.
Box turtles have a hinged plastron, an adaptation that allows them to hide inside their shell in order to become an impenetrable box. This is especially helpful when encountering predators.
This species usually has a brown or tan carapace and plastron, sometimes with darker markings.
Males are more colorful than females, particularly on their heads and forelimbs which can include grays, blues, oranges, and yellows. Females are typically more subdues with shades of brown and tan.
Range – Eastern Mexico
Habitat – Scrublands, forests
Wild – Vegetables, fruit, mushrooms, insects
Zoo – Salad, mushrooms, earthworms, crickets, small mice
Wild – 80-100 years
Zoo – 50-80 years
Breeding occurs during the fall and the following spring the female will lay a clutch of 4-8 eggs into a well-dug nest. The incubation period lasts about 60-70 days.
Major threats include habitat loss due to agricultural and urban development.
Some studies have shown that the Mexican box turtle is somewhat common in its habitat. However, more research is needed to monitor its population and life history.
This species has been heavily impacted in recent years by the illegal live animal trade.
Box turtles can act as seed dispersers (they aid with germination of plant seeds).
One can tell the gender of a box turtle by observing the plastron. Males have a concave plastron which assists in the mounting of females during breeding season. Females tend to have a flatter plastron.
Box turtles are diurnal. They cool themselves by hiding under moist leaf matter, in mud, or in water.
Recent phylogenetic research has determined that the Mexican box turtle, which was once considered a subspecies of the eastern box turtle, is in fact its own unique species.
Box Turtle. Retrieved January 12, 2015, from http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Easternboxturtle.cfm
Common box turtle. Retrieved January 4, 2015, from http://www.arkive.org/common-box-turtle/terrapene-carolina/image-G27038.html
Martin, Bradley T., et al. "Sequence-based molecular phylogenetics and phylogeography of the American box turtles (Terrapene spp.) with support from DNA barcoding." Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 68.1 (2013): 119-134.
Pfau, Beate, et al. (2021) "Conservation and trade of turtles in Mexico: and how DNA-based tools can help to investigate the origin of confiscated animals.” Radiata 30 (3).
Zoo Atlanta Animal Care Team
Updated September 2024