By Erin Fisher, Membership Manager

Box Turtle at Stowe

If you keep a keen eye on the roadways this time of year, you’ve probably noticed a few turtles out and about. There are lots of misunderstandings and misconceptions about turtles in our area – so let’s talk about more about these shelled neighbors!
Turtles are reptiles, and they are attached to their shells, which is actually part of their backbone, or spine. In our area, some of the most commonly spotted species include box turtles, sliders, cooters and softshell turtles.
Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) are actually our state reptile in North Carolina! Sometimes people call these mostly terrestrial turtles “tortoises”, but they are more closely related to aquatic species. (Did you know that all tortoises are considered a specialized type of turtle, but not all turtles are tortoises?)
Unlike their aquatic cousins, box turtles are able pull all their limbs and tail into their shell for protection, thus giving them their name! If you encounter a box turtle, make sure to leave it in its habitat – if it is crossing the road, carefully place it in the same direction it was traveling. Studies into their habits have shown that box turtles spend most of their lives in a small area of less than a mile and removing them from this territory can cause them to wander endlessly, trying to get back to their home. They also will wade into shallow water but should never be put into ponds or fast-moving water, as they are not good swimmers and will generally sink to the bottom. While they are charming, interesting and (for lack of better description) cute animals, they should be left in the wild and not taken into captivity as pets. If you would like to add a pet turtle to your life, consider adopting a non-native box turtle or tortoise; there are many in need of homes!

Box Turtle front view

River Cooter found on the road on the Stowe property near the ponds

There are many species of exclusively aquatic turtles in our area, including sliders and cooters. Many of these species, including yellow bellied sliders and red eared sliders, are capable of hybridizing, making identification challenging, especially from a distance. We also are home to snapping turtles, with their distinctive, dinosaur-like appearance and the elusive but fascinating soft shell turtle native to our area. These turtles will generally spend the majority of their lives in the water, but females will leave the water to lay their eggs, which must be buried in soil to develop properly, and it is during this period that many get struck by vehicles. Turtles (and reptiles in general) can recover from some pretty gnarly injuries with prompt care, so if you see a turtle that has been hit by a vehicle, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for more instructions on how to help.

We have many turtles that call the Conservancy property home, including all of the species mentioned above. Next time you’re visiting Stowe, keep an eye out for them, especially near the Pond Loop trails and Sunken Pond in Lost Hollow. Happy herping!

Box Turtle marked with nail polish for research tracking purposes

Yellow Bellied Sliders in the Sunken Pond at Lost Hollow