The box turtle is a solitary, diurnal reptile. They are almost as terrestrial in their habits as the land tortoise. The eastern box turtle is usually found in the underbrush of the temperate forest or among the open fields associated with marshes. They dig burrows beneath the frost line in the winter in order to hibernate. The eastern box turtle is generally omnivorous, feeding on green vegetation, mushrooms, snails, earthworms and insects.
Juveniles are more carnivorous than adults.
At the zoo, the box turtle eats fresh vegetables, small amounts of fruit and dog food or crickets. Females lay their eggs in late spring-early summer. They can be fertile up to 4 years after mating.