The toes are partially webbed, and the upper surface of the head is covered with smooth skin. Four species occur in North America, two of which are only found in Mexico. The desert box turtle ranges from the Trans-Pecos region of Texas and southeastern Arizona south into Sonora and Chihuahua, Mexico. Due to Tucson's arid climate, we recommend against keeping non-native box turtles in Arizona. Nesting begins in early May and extends through mid-July.
Nests are generally two or more inches deep.
Clutch size ranges from two to eight eggs, and incubation lasts about 70 days. Though desert box turtles are considered omnivorous and in captivity they will eat a variety of vegetable matter, under natural conditions they are chiefly carnivorous. Desert box turtles will also eat carrion. Daily activity for desert box turtles consists of periods of basking, foraging, and rest that vary considerably in length, generally by environmental conditions. Foraging is generally curtailed during the hottest part of the day, resuming in late afternoon and continuing until dusk.