HB 401 — An Act designating the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) as the official State reptile of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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
 1   Designating the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)
 2      as the official State reptile of the Commonwealth of
 3      Pennsylvania.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby enacts as follows:
 6   Section 1.   Findings and declarations.
 7      The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
 8          (1)   The eastern box turtle can be found across this
 9      Commonwealth in rural, suburban and even urban habitats in
10      shrubby grasslands, marshy meadows, open woodlands and field
11      forest edges.
12          (2)   The eastern box turtle is often found near streams
13      or ponds or areas that have experienced heavy rainfall.
14          (3)   The eastern box turtle generally lives for 25 to 35
15      years but has been known to survive for more than 100 years.
16          (4)   The eastern box turtle has many unique identifying
17      characteristics, including:
18                (i)   When in danger, the eastern box turtle can close
19          the hinged sections of its shell, effectively sealing its
 1          soft body in bone, forming a "box."
 2                (ii)   When injured or damaged, the eastern box
 3          turtle's shell has the capacity to regenerate and reform.
 4          (5)   Unfortunately, the eastern box turtle is becoming an
 5      at-risk species, experiencing population declines throughout
 6      most of its range due to habitat fragmentation, roadway
 7      traffic and ATV use, incidental and illegal collection, poor
 8      habitat management activities, inflated level of predation,
 9      disease and natural disturbances such as floods and fires.
10          (6)   Designation as the official State reptile will
11      assist in conservation efforts for the eastern box turtle and
12      other turtle, snake and lizard species.
13   Section 2.   Official State reptile.
14      The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is
15   designated as the official State reptile of the Commonwealth of
16   Pennsylvania.
17   Section 3.   Effective date.
18      This act shall take effect immediately.




20250HB0401PN0370                    - 2 -