File:Eastern box turtle lying in grass near tree - DPLA - bb59f3892639be68e6729d7e7163db69.jpg

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Reptilia; Order: Chelonia; Family: Emydidae; Genus: Terrapene; Genus species: Terrapene carolina. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: 10-20 cm; Identification: The patterns of the Eastern box turtle can vary in color. The carapace is domed; Habitat: Moist forests; Diet: Omnivore: slugs, earthworms, fruit, mushrooms; Reproduction: Mating takes place during the spring. Females lay 3-8 eggs each season in a pit dug into the ground. The eggs hatch after incubating for 60-99 days, and the hatchlings may remain in the nest over the following winter; Behavior: Because they are relatively poor swimmers, box turtles stay in shallow water and are mostly terrestrial. They spend the winter months hibernating; Status: No special status; Interesting Facts: Eastern box turtles are able to eat poisonous mushrooms without getting sick. However, any animal that eats a turtle after it has fed on the mushrooms will be poisoned.