Illustration of box turtle
box turtle
noun
1
: any of several North American land turtles (genus Terrapene) capable of withdrawing into their shell and closing it by hinged joints in the lower half
called also box tortoise
2
: any of several chiefly semiaquatic, Asian turtles (genera Cuora and Pyxidea of the family Geoemydidae) that have a carapace with a median keel and are capable of withdrawing into their shell and closing it by hinged joints in the plastron
Note: The Asian box turtles are not closely related to the North American box turtles.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web An injured eastern box turtle was struggling across the street outside her house in Alexandria, Virginia. 
Vincent T. Davis, San Antonio Express-News, 8 Aug. 2022 The three-toed box turtle is one of the most common turtles motorists will encounter in The Natural State. Arkansas Online, 20 June 2022 Although most small mammals cannot get into a box turtle's shell a persistent coyote can eventually work its way through to the turtle underneath. Arkansas Online, 20 June 2022 Julie Lisk, senior field biologist with the conservation department at Zoo New England, said the box turtle project started about six years ago. Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 25 May 2022 Along with this successful operation, the upcoming episode of Critter Fixers: Country Vets will include a boxer dog dealing with an allergic reaction and a box turtle in need of little help. People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 11 Apr. 2022 At least 18 threatened or endangered plant and animal species, including the ornate box turtle and regal fritillary butterfly, have been sighted here. Rashod Taylor, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2021 The eastern box turtle is native to forested regions of the East Coast and Midwest, and the Gaboon viper is native to central sub-Saharan Africa. Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, 6 Apr. 2021 Habitat loss, vehicle strikes, and collection for the pet trade have contributed to the box turtle’s decline, according to the National Wildlife Federation. Tristan Baurick, NOLA.com, 8 Jan. 2021 See More
Vincent T. Davis, San Antonio Express-News, 8 Aug. 2022 The three-toed box turtle is one of the most common turtles motorists will encounter in The Natural State. Arkansas Online, 20 June 2022 Although most small mammals cannot get into a box turtle's shell a persistent coyote can eventually work its way through to the turtle underneath. Arkansas Online, 20 June 2022 Julie Lisk, senior field biologist with the conservation department at Zoo New England, said the box turtle project started about six years ago. Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 25 May 2022 Along with this successful operation, the upcoming episode of Critter Fixers: Country Vets will include a boxer dog dealing with an allergic reaction and a box turtle in need of little help. People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 11 Apr. 2022 At least 18 threatened or endangered plant and animal species, including the ornate box turtle and regal fritillary butterfly, have been sighted here. Rashod Taylor, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2021 The eastern box turtle is native to forested regions of the East Coast and Midwest, and the Gaboon viper is native to central sub-Saharan Africa. Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, 6 Apr. 2021 Habitat loss, vehicle strikes, and collection for the pet trade have contributed to the box turtle’s decline, according to the National Wildlife Federation. Tristan Baurick, NOLA.com, 8 Jan. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1