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

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.

From Washington Post

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

From New York Times

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

From Seattle Times

The state estimates property damage from such wrecks at nearly $20 million annually, while unbroken roads also fracture habitats for monitored species of concern including the ornate box turtle, white-nosed coati and gila monster.

From Seattle Times

Researchers subjected the skeletal remains of pond sliders, diamondback terrapins, painted turtles and box turtles to incremental increases in mechanical forces and measured where and how the shells began to buckle.

From New York Times