box turtle

noun

1. any of several chiefly terrestrial turtles of the genus Terrapene, of North America, having a hinged plastron that can be tightly shut to enclose and protect the body.

Word History and Origins

Origin of box turtle¹

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

The eastern box turtle is also deemed vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

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The eastern box turtles, known for the vivid yellow-orange markings on their shells, were bound from the East Coast for Hong Kong and were intercepted in Torrance, prompting the case to be prosecuted in California.

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Most of them, court documents state, were eastern box turtles — a species named for the turtles’ unique ability to completely close up in their shells, like a box, when frightened.

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The Eastern box turtles are also an invasive species in Asia and may spread disease there.

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Fazi sold primarily eastern box turtles, which can live for up to 100 years.

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