Part 23 Species Proposals Submitted 3. However, the Service did not have sufficient information on trade in these species, and did not submit a proposal for consideration at COP8. Terrapene nelsoni occurs in a small fragmented range on the west coast of Mexico, while T. ornata is found over a large area of the midwestern United States. Terrapene carolina has the largest range, occurring from Canada to Mexico as far as Yucatan, and from the Atlantic coast west into approximately the eastern edge of the prairie in the Midwest.
Box turtles are long-lived, sexual maturity is late, and annual reproduction is low.
They exhibit high site fidelity, which tends to amplify the impacts of habitat fragmentation. The removal of adult turtles from the wild can have a significant impact on the status of populations. Twenty-two States responded, in 16 of which box turtles are protected by State law. Comments from the States noted the continued loss of habitat, illegal collecting, negative impacts of the pet trade in box turtles, some indications of international trade, and suggestions of declines in some populations. Many of these comments included anecdotal accounts and observations of population declines, and the occurrence of box turtles for sale in pet stores in the United States and abroad.