Plastron – the part of the shell that covers the underside of the turtle.
Carapace – the hard upper shell of a turtle, crustacean, or arachnid.
Scute – a bony external plate or scale overlaid with horn on the shell of a turtle.
Fun Facts
In the wild, Eastern Box Turtles can live to be over 100 years old.
Females have a flat plastron and typically dull yellow or brown eyes, while males have a concave plastron and usually bright red or orange eyes.
A Box turtle’s plastron is hinged, so that it can be brought up in the front and back to meet the carapace and completely seal the turtle inside.
Females can carry their eggs inside them for up to 4 years if environmental conditions are not favorable, and wait to lay the eggs until a better time.
