Florida Box Turtle

Terrapene carolina was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. It is the type species for the genus Terrapene and has more subspecies than the other three species within that genus. The eastern box turtle subspecies was the one recognized by Linnaeus. The other four subspecies were first classified during the 19th century. In addition, one extinct subspecies, T. c. putnami, is distinguished. ;Subspecies {| class="wikitable sortable" !Image !Common name !Subspecies |- | |Eastern box turtle |Terrapene carolina carolina (Linnaeus, 1758) |- | |Florida box turtle |Terrapene carolina bauri Taylor, 1895 |- | |Gulf Coast box turtle |Terrapene carolina major (Agassiz, 1857) |- | |Mexican box turtle |Terrapene carolina mexicana (Gray, 1849) |- | |Yucatán box turtle |Terrapene carolina yucatana (Boulenger, 1895) |- | |Giant box turtle |Terrapene carolina putnami O.P. Hay, 1906 |} Nota bene: Parentheses around the name of an authority indicate the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Terrapene.

The common box turtle inhabits open woodlands, marshy meadows, floodplains, scrub forests and brushy grasslands

Common box turtles are predominantly terrestrial reptiles that are often seen early in the day, or after rain, when they emerge from the shelter of rotting leaves, logs, or a mammal burrow to forage. These turtles have an incredibly varied diet of animal and plant matter, including earthworms, snails, slugs, insects, wild berries, roots, flowers, fungi, fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes, birds, eggs, and sometimes even animal carrion (in the form of dead ducks, amphibians, assorted small mammals, and even a dead cow). In the warmer summer months, common box turtles are more likely to be seen near the edges of swamps or marshlands,

===Conservation=== Although the common box turtle has a wide range and was once considered common, many populations are in decline as a result of a number of diverse threats. Agricultural and urban development is destroying habitat, while human fire management is degrading it. Development brings with it an additional threat in the form of increased infrastructure, as common box turtles are frequently killed on roads and highways. Collection for the international pet trade may also impact populations in some areas. The life history characteristics of the common box turtle (long lifespan and slow reproductive rate) make it particularly vulnerable to such threats. The common box turtle is therefore classified as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. The common box turtle is also listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that international trade in this species should be carefully monitored to ensure it is compatible with the species' survival. In addition, many U.S. states regulate or prohibit the taking of this species. NatureServe considers it Secure. This species also occurs in a number of protected areas, some of which are large enough to protect populations from the threat of development, while it may also occur in the Sierra del Abra Tanchipa Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Conservation recommendations for the common box turtle include establishing management practices during urban developments that are sympathetic to this species, as well as further research into its life history and the monitoring of populations.