• The Eastern box turtle is NC’s state reptile

  • The box turtle is the only true terrestrial (land) turtle - do not place in a pond or lake

  • NC has 21 species of turtles (including marine species)

  • Box turtles are declining rapidly due to habitat destruction, illegal pet trade, hit by vehicles

  • It is illegal to keep wild turtles as pets

  • Aquatic turtles may travel up to a mile to deposit eggs and return to their water source

Road Assistance:

  • Move turtle in the direction they are traveling

  • Reference this link on how to assist a snapping turtle across the road (only if not injured) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgd_B6iKPxU

  • Do NOT relocate unless habitat is destroyed and then to the closest natural undisturbed area to their original habitat.

🚫 Never wash blood from a shell injury—water can drown them internally.

➡️ Text NC Wildlife Rehab: 704-877-3037 if you find an injured or sick turtle (eyes swollen, snot bubbles, abscess or tumor like protrusion on side of head), has flystrike (fly larvae appears as rice grains) or active maggots.

Turtles