PRINTER'S NO. 370
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.401
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY STAMBAUGH, ROWE AND ZIMMERMAN, JANUARY 28, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAME AND FISHERIES, JANUARY 28, 2025
AN ACT
Designating the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)
as the official State reptile of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Findings and declarations.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) The eastern box turtle can be found across this
Commonwealth in rural, suburban and even urban habitats in
shrubby grasslands, marshy meadows, open woodlands and field
forest edges.
(2) The eastern box turtle is often found near streams
or ponds or areas that have experienced heavy rainfall.
(3) The eastern box turtle generally lives for 25 to 35
years but has been known to survive for more than 100 years.
(4) The eastern box turtle has many unique identifying
characteristics, including:
(i) When in danger, the eastern box turtle can close
the hinged sections of its shell, effectively sealing its
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19 soft body in bone, forming a "box."
(ii) When injured or damaged, the eastern box
turtle's shell has the capacity to regenerate and reform.
(5) Unfortunately, the eastern box turtle is becoming an
at-risk species, experiencing population declines throughout
most of its range due to habitat fragmentation, roadway
traffic and ATV use, incidental and illegal collection, poor
habitat management activities, inflated level of predation,
disease and natural disturbances such as floods and fires.
(6) Designation as the official State reptile will
assist in conservation efforts for the eastern box turtle and
other turtle, snake and lizard species.
Section 2. Official State reptile.
The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is
designated as the official State reptile of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
Section 3. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
20250HB0401PN0370 - 2 -
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