Eastern Box Turtle

The Eastern box turtle in Massachusetts is a Species of Special Concern. It is against the law to collect used to have one in your possession. This box turtle was found on a street in New Bedford and was brought to Mass Audubon. At present it is being kept at the field station of the Allens Pond Sanctuary in Westport Massachusetts until hibernation time. It will then be brought to the Great Neck Sanctuary, which is a known habitat for the box turtle in the hopes after hibernation its internal clock will be reset and will stay in the area and hopefully raise many other box turtles.

The Eastern Box Turtle is an upland species, inhabiting upland habitats and shallow wetlands. In Massachusetts it is at the northeastern edge of its range.