Shell Yeah! Meet Florida’s Eastern Box Turtle. While box turtles can be found throughout Florida, the eastern box turtle only occurs in the Panhandle region. These turtles may be active in Florida year-round – including warm winter days. These little turtles are known for their ability to close up their shells tightly when threatened, giving them excellent protection from predators. Unlike most turtles which use aquatic environments, Eastern Box Turtles are found in forests, grasslands, and shal