Box turtles are land dwelling creatures found in mossy areas of the forest, or other damp habitats. Box turtles have a high, domed carapace or upper shell, and a lower shell or plastron with a hinge between the front and rear parts. When a box turtle is frightened, it pulls its heads, legs and tail into its shell, and slams the carapace and plastron together. It is now safely inside a ‘box’ formed by the tightly closed shell, and its enemies will find it very difficult to get at it.
