Desert Box Turtle

Green Nature Photography Home

Turtle Species Types of Turtles Aldabra Tortoise Blanding's Turtle Burmese Brown Tortoise Chicken Turtle Eastern River Cooter Gulf Coast Box Turtle Pacific Green Sea Turtle Pig-nosed Turtle Red-eared Slider Snake-necked Turtle Vietnamese Leaf Turtle Western Pond Turtle

All box turtles are characterized by their dome carapace and hinged plaston.

This design enables them to literally hide in their shell when threatened.

Box turtles are also noted for being more a terrestial turtle than a freshwater turtle. However, they do move about in shallow waters in their territory.

The Desert Box Turtle in the picture is a native of the Southwest. It is probably the dullest colored of the box turtle species in the United States. Still, it has a nice yellow pattern on the carapace.

© 2006 Patricia A. Michaels