The southern spotted box turtle (Terrapene nelsoni nelsoni) is a subspecies of turtle in the family Emydidae. It is endemic to the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range in Mexico.
Taxonomy
The southern spotted box turtle is one of two recognized subspecies of the spotted box turtle (Terrapene nelsoni). The other is the northern spotted box turtle (Terrapene nelsoni klauberi). The trinomial name Terrapene nelsoni nelsoni was first described by Leonhard Stejneger in 1925.
Distribution and Habitat
This subspecies is found in the southern portion of the species' range, specifically in the Mexican states of Nayarit, Jalisco, and southern Sinaloa. Its habitat is within the Sierra Madre Occidental.
Appearance
Like all box turtles, the southern spotted box turtle possesses a hinged plastron (the underside of the shell) that allows it to close its shell completely for protection. The species Terrapene nelsoni is characterized by a brown carapace with creamy yellow spots.
Conservation Status
The southern spotted box turtle is listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List, indicating that insufficient information is available to make a direct assessment of its risk of extinction.
