Terrapene carolina triunguis , the three-toed box turtle, has similar markings to the other subspecies, but has three toes on its hind feet. The Eastern box turtle may reach a length of eight inches at maturity. Its domed shell can be tan, brown, black, or olive. Older turtles' shells are smooth, while juveniles often have concentric growth rings on their shells. The plastron or under-shell appears brown or olive with black markings, and is hinged to close tightly.
Male turtles tend to be larger than females, with enlarged claws, concave plastrons, and red eyes.
Females' eyes can be grayish brown, yellow, or dark red, and their plastrons are flat, with convex edges. The box turtle's habitat varies, but it favors open woodlands, meadows, and wetland areas with good cover. Most box turtles develop a permanent home range, which expands as the juveniles mature into adulthood. Ranges can vary from five to twelve acres, and will expand and contract over a period of years. Some transient males never form permanent ranges but travel among isolated populations and mate with females whose ranges are permanent.