Eastern box turtles are one of the most popular pets. A lot of people like them since they don’t grow much. It can stay small as they age and have impressive behaviors. Even kids are fond of them because of their shape and look. They are also easy to care for like other turtles.

This turtle species possess a high and done-like carapace. It comes with a hinged plastron which allows them to close it. Eastern box turtle carapaces have different colorations. The most common is brownish or black which can also have a yellow or orange pattern of spots, lines, and blotches.

When it comes to their skin color, it varies similar to their shells. Usually, it’s brown or black with a little bit of yellow, red, orange, and white streaks or spots. Their color is almost the same as the winter leaf of the tulip poplar plant. Males have blue patches in the cheeks, though, and their front legs.

Male Eastern box turtles also have red eyes while females have brown eyes. They are armed with a sharp and horned beak. Their limbs are stout and they have webbed feet at the base. Do Eastern box turtles bite? The answer is all here so keep on reading to learn more about them.

Do Eastern Box Turtles Bite?

Yes, eastern box turtles bite just like any other turtle species. But they normally do that when they are in a threatening situation. Before they do that, these turtles will hide their bodies in their shells. That will seal them inside to protect their soft parts. They bite when they are scared.

If you’re planning to have this turtle as a pet, don’t forget to warn the children. Small children need to make sure to keep their fingers away from its mouth. It will hurt them when the turtles bite. You can avoid this incident by not leaving the kids with the turtle by themselves.

When you have to pick up the box turtle to move it, always be careful. Unlike other pets, they don’t like being handled by humans. It will stress the box turtle and can even affect their health. Give them some space and avoid handling the box turtle if not necessary.

Generally, turtles don’t like being picked up by humans. Giving them space will help them to avoid getting stressed. That’s important for their well-being. It doesn’t mean that you can’t pick it up if needed. Just avoid unnecessary handling and your box turtle should be fine.

Why Eastern Box Turtles Bite?

The eastern box turtles are not aggressive. Unlike snapping turtles, they don’t just bite without a reason. However, there are different reasons why the eastern box turtles may bite. It can be because they are scared or even being mishandled. Below are the reasons why the eastern box turtle may bite their owners.

1. Threatened of Scared

In most cases, the reason why box turtle bites are because they are scared. Although they are docile, they can quickly attack when they feel threatened. They will feel this way if they hear some loud noises. Another reason is there are sudden environmental changes. It can make them feel unsafe.

Be careful whenever you have to transfer the turtle. Make sure to hold it properly to avoid it from getting scared. If they suddenly feel threatened, they can bite you without a warning. Avoid having your hand close to its mouth as well. Don’t give the turtle a reason to bite you.

2. Stressed Out

The eastern box turtles are easily stressed. It can be triggered by different factors such as hunger, territory, and a new environment. Turtles can also be stressed out during the mating season. Especially if they have competition for potential mates. During these times, it’s better to give it the space it needs.

You will see the signs when the turtle is stressed out. It will hiss, pant, and retract which are all signs of stress. Leave it alone for them to have time to calm down. Once they look more relaxed, address the situation carefully. See what’s bothering them and help them out.

3. Protecting Their Young

Maternal instincts always kick in for almost every animal. The mothers need to protect their young. In box turtles, maternal instinct seems to be strong. They can get too defensive when it comes to their eggs and hatchlings. Their overprotective behavior will cause them to bite.

It happens when they feel that their offspring’s safety is compromised. You should respect their boundaries during this period. Turtles will appreciate it if you provide them with the space they need. Fight the urge to hold the hatchlings. It can make the mother turtle defensive and bite you to protect them.

4. Rough Handling

Turtles are not the most expressive animals around. It’s hard to tell if they are already experiencing discomfort. Box turtles know if you’re being rough or gentle towards them. Try to be extra careful when it’s necessary to pick them up. It will be receptive if they feel comfortable.

However, when you handle the turtle roughly, they will instantly react. Avoid meddling with their head and mouth. If you are rough with them, they don’t have a choice but to bite. Turtles don’t like humans picking them up. Especially if they will be uncomfortable. They might get scared and bite your hand.

5. It’s Hungry

Turtles in general can mistake the human finger for food. It will bite when you’re dealing with a hungry box turtle. If they are hungry, they also feel irritated. That’s another reason why they will bite you. To avoid your fingers becoming its snack, feed it first before handling it.

Make sure that the turtle is full to improve their mood as well. If it’s not necessary to pick them up, don’t do it. That can affect the turtle’s behavior. They need space so make sure to give it to them. Train it to also get their food instead of feeding it with your hands

Are Eastern Box Turtles Good Pets?

Box turtles are the popular choice as pets. But it’s not a recommended animal to make as pets. Their nature is one of the reasons why it’s not advisable. Another reason is that the number of box turtles in the world is declining. It’s also illegal to keep a box turtle as a pet in other areas.

More than 300,000 box turtles have been taken from nature. They were sold as pets even if half of them die during captivity. If you still want to have a box turtle as a pet, make sure to take care of it properly. Learn how to take care of it before taking it home.

Box turtles need to be exposed to sunlight or artificial lighting. It will help them to stay healthy and survive in captivity better. Their primary food source is insects and won. Box turtles also like eating vegetables and fruits. Make sure that they will have a variety of food in their diet.

Even though box turtles are being kept as pets, they are considered wild animals. Although box turtles are easier to keep as long as you give them the essentials. The turtle tank should be as similar as their home in the wild. It will allow them to avoid stress and live longer.

Do Eastern Box Turtles Bite Each Other?

Yes, the eastern box turtles also bite their own kind. Although they don’t prefer biting unless there’s a reason for them to do it. Although box turtles are friendly, they might still bite other eastern box turtles. There are different reasons why box turtles bite even their own kind.

These reasons are territorial tendencies, limited resources, and mating frustration. Although turtles mostly bite each other due to their territorial aggression. They need space so make sure the tank is big enough to accommodate other box turtles. Provide them with more space for everyone.

If you want to avoid this from happening, it’s better to upgrade their tank. Another idea is to provide them with a separate tank instead. Feed the turtles separately to avoid them from biting each other. You can also use a tank divider to stop them from hurting each other.

Eastern box turtles should be alone if the existing ones tend to be aggressive. If you must keep more than one of these turtle species, provide them with enough space. They can be territorial since that’s what they do in the wild. Make sure to also have box turtles at the same age.

Do Eastern Box Turtles Have Teeth?

No, turtles don’t have teeth in general. Although they are born with an egg tooth. That’s what they use to peck themselves out of the shell. But it will fall off almost immediately after birth. That’s why it’s amazing how they can bite without teeth.

Instead of teeth, turtles have their beaks. That’s what they use to defend themselves and fight back. When the beak grows long, it can extend down the turtle’s jaw. They also have strong jaws. Some turtle species possess a powerful jaw that can hurt anyone.

Is It Painful to be Bitten by the Eastern Box Turtle?

The bite of an eastern box turtle is less painful than other turtle species. But their bite can be sharp enough to hurt a child’s finger. It can also inflict wounds on kids so make sure to warn them. Although the box turtle’s bite is not as strong as other turtles.

The range of pain can also vary in the part where you have been bitten. Some people can get bitten on their forearms. It’s more painful than to get bitten on your fingers. That’s why to be cautious when handling your box turtle. Avoid its head where the mouth is located.

Sometimes, turtles can mistake your fingers for food. They will bite you especially when they are hungry. But it’s not too bad when it comes to box turtles. Although it still depends on your pain threshold. The skin of the affected area may turn pink but it’s not that painful.

Box turtles can also bite to protect themselves. If they are in a defensive mode and bite you, it’s a different story. The box turtles bite on a defensive mode can be agonizing. It will result in a bruise or can break the skin. Seek treatment right away when this happens.

Is Eastern Box Turtle Bite Dangerous?

Although it can be painful if you get bitten by a box turtle, it doesn’t have a dangerous effect. Turtles don’t have poison or rabies like other animals. They also don’t have dangerous viruses or parasites. However, they are known to carry the salmonella bacteria.

In case they break the skin that results in a wound and bleeding, seek medical treatment. Don’t wait until you show symptoms of infection. Salmonella can cause serious effects in humans. Make sure to get treated right away.

What to Do If the Eastern Box Turtle Bites You?

If you get bitten by an eastern box turtle, wash the affected area with mild soap and rinse it with lukewarm water. You can also put the affected area under running water. It can ease and help to subside the pain.

Make sure to do it immediately to avoid complications.

After washing the bitten area, you can use some antibiotics. Cover the wound using a bandage to avoid infections. Although the box turtle’s bite can be painful, it can’t bite off your finger. You will not end up requiring stitches from its bite. If there’s a wound or blood, it’s best to see a doctor for treatment.

After the wound has been treated, take care of it to avoid infection. Follow the doctor’s advice until it heals. If the wound turns yellowish and produces discharge, check with your doctor again. It usually stings more which may be a sign of infection. It will need to be treated again.

After you get bitten by the box turtle, avoid putting it back in the tank for a while. The turtle will think that it’s being rewarded for displaying good behavior. It will entice the box turtle to bite again if you do that. Just put it in a safe area to discourage it from biting again.

What to Avoid When an Eastern Box Turtle Bites You?

There are also things to avoid when the eastern box turtle bites you. Sometimes, this turtle will bite and not let go. Avoid pulling away or hitting the turtle. It will get stressed out and might clench your finger tighter. It will cause more pain to you.

Try to relax and be patient for the turtle to let go on its own. Once it feels secure, it will let you go. Don’t give physical punishment to the box turtle. It might bite you since you will trigger it again. Turtles usually bite when they feel threatened.

After the incident, think about the reason why the turtle was triggered to bite. It will help you to avoid getting bitten in the future. That’s not a pleasant experience as a turtle keeper. So you should learn from that experience and avoid it from happening again.

Eastern Box Turtle Facts

1. Size

These turtle species can grow to 4 inches by 6 inches. Eastern box turtles are larger than other subspecies. The Gulf Coast box turtle is the biggest box turtle that was found in the northern region of Gulf Mexico. Also known as Terrapene C. Carolina is from the eastern area of the United States.

2. Habitat

You can find them from Maine to Florida and west to the Great Lakes region and Texas. Easter box turtles are terrestrial which means they spend more time on land. They live in vegetative areas such as shrubby grasslands, marshy meadows, open woodlands, and field forest edges. It can be seen near the streams, ponds, and other areas that experienced heavy rainfalls in the past.

3. Diet

Eastern box turtles are opportunistic omnivores. They eat a variety of plants, fruits, mushrooms, insects, fish, eggs, small amphibians, and animal carrion. The young grow fast and are primarily carnivorous. They’re usually in water to hunt and move to land in five to six years. They will shift to the herbivorous diet.

4. Reproduction

At the age, of 5, box turtles will reach their sexual maturity. Their mating season starts from spring to fall. Makes will become active to search for females after a rainfall. They mate with one or more females or just one female multiple times. Female box turtles can store sperm for up to four years.

5. Nesting

Their nesting season is from May to June. Females can lay four to five eggs but some can lay up to eleven eggs. They use their hind legs to dig their nest in the sand. The female box turtle will then cover and incubate the eggs. The gender of the box turtles depends on the temperature.

Eggs incubated at 22 to 27C will be males. While for those who are incubated more than 28C will be females. Box turtles’ lifespan can be from 25 to 35 years. Although there are some who survive to more than a hundred years old. With the right environment and care, it will be possible for them to live that long.

6. Activities

The eastern box turtles can adjust their activities so that they can keep their ideal body temperature. They are more active early in the morning during summer. When it’s already too hot, they will look for their shade. That can be under the logs, a pile of leaves, mud, or anima burrows.

Eastern box turtles are active all day during the spring and fall. They usually sunbathe to stay warm. Those who live in the southern regions are active all winter. But the northern regions can get too cold. Box turtles in this area will find a place that will be comfortable for them.

7. Brumation

The place should be insulated which is called a hibernaculum. The box turtles will start their brumation which is the hibernation state of turtles. It starts in October or November until April. They will wake up and resume their normal activities again.

FAQs

1. Are eastern box turtles aggressive?

The eastern box turtle is not an aggressive type of turtle. They are usually solitary animals. You can even house immature turtles together. Regardless of gender, box turtles are not aggressive even if they are the same size. Young male box turtles can start bullying each other as they grow.

2. Do Eastern box turtles like to be held?

Box turtles, like any other turtle species, don’t like to be held. It causes stress to them and it can be bad for their health. Frequent handling can also affect their behavior and start to bite you. If the turtle retreats into its shell, that means it’s stressed. It’s time to give them space.

3. Are eastern box turtles friendly?

The eastern box turtles are not the friendliest pet to have. They are not suitable as pets for young children. Box turtles have special requirements to survive. They can’t constantly get stressed or it will affect their health. These types of turtles prefer not to be handled, unlike other domesticated animals.

4. Is it legal to own an eastern box turtle?

In most states in the US, it’s illegal to get box turtles from the wild and take them home. These turtle species are being protected since their numbers are decreasing. Box turtles are an endangered species so it’s best to leave them in the wild.

Conclusion

The eastern box turtles can provide a painful bite. Although they are not naturally aggressive, it can happen when you least expect it. If they are threatened, that will trigger them to bite. Make sure to handle them carefully to avoid stressing them out and experiencing their painful bite.

Turtles are solitary animals and you don’t want to test their limits. They are willing to defend themselves and their offspring if needed. As a turtle keeper, you can train them not to bite. With patience and understanding, your box turtle will realize that it’s safe under your care.