| The Florida box turtle is easily distinguised from others by the bright yellow radiating stripes on the shell. |  |
| Box turtles have high-domed shells. This side view shows the domed scutes. |
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| The hinged plaston is another characteristic. It allows the shell to close tightly. |  |
| The turtle in its "form", a slight depression within the leaf litter and low plants where the turtle spents the night and inactive daytime periods. |  |
