Apr. 08, 2025
HARRISBURG – The House Game & Fisheries Committee today lent unanimous support to Rep. Perry Stambaugh’s bill that would designate the ubiquitous Eastern box turtle as the official state reptile of Pennsylvania.
House Bill 401, authored by Stambaugh (R-Perry/Juniata), would add the Eastern Box Turtle (
Terrapene Carolina Carolina) to the list of Pennsylvania state symbols, which include the mountain laurel as the state flower and white-tailed deer as the state animal. Stambaugh advocated for the measure in committee, while staff from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission brought a live specimen for committee members to observe.
“The Eastern box turtle can be found across the Commonwealth in rural, suburban, and even urban habitats: shrubby grasslands, marshy meadows, open woodlands, and field forest edges,” Stambaugh said. “The turtles are often found near streams or ponds, or areas that have experienced heavy rainfall. Box turtles generally live for 25 to 35 years, but they have been known to survive for more than 100 years old.”
Eastern box turtles have many uniquely identifying characteristics that include the hinged sections of their shells. When in danger, the turtle can close its shell, effectively sealing its soft body in bone and forming a “box.”
Stambaugh told the committee the Eastern box turtle is becoming an at-risk species, experiencing population declines due to habitat fragmentation, roadway traffic, incidental and illegal collection, and poor habitat management activities.
“Designation as the official reptile of Pennsylvania would assist in conservation efforts for the Eastern box turtle,” Stambaugh said. “I am grateful for the unanimous support of my bill and look forward to its consideration in the House chamber.”
Editor’s Note: A photo is attached for your use. Rep. Perry Stambaugh (R-Perry/Juniata) offers remarks to the House Game & Fisheries Committee on April 8. He was joined by Kailee Glock from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as well as a turtle nicknamed Alcatraz.
Representative Perry Stambaugh
86th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717-260-6563
jfitch@pahousegop.com
Repperrystambaugh.com