The Coahuilan Box Turtle (Terrapene coahuila) is listed as Endangered by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature), the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and the Mexican Government. It is found only in the intermontane Cuatrociénegas Valley of north-central Mexico. T. coahuila is the only aquatic member of its genus. It is found primarily in small spring-fed wetlands (cienegas) and pools (pozas) set in Chihuahuan Desert habitat.

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The species has experienced a serious population decrease over the past half century, declining from an estimated size of 10,000 in 1974 to 2,500 in the early 2000s to possibly no more than 1500 by 2019. The primary threats are habitat loss and degradation due to a lowering of the water table from encroaching agriculture both in the Cuatrociénegas Valley and in areas with contributing aquifers outside the basin.  Efforts are underway to save critical habitat and to develop a strong, in-country assurance colony for the species in a protected captive setting. 

 

Your donation will go directly to support the conservation efforts of the Turtle Conservancy for the Coahuilan Box Turtle. This organization is a 501c(3) non-profit. To make a one-time donation visit the Turtle Conservancy donation page. Click Donate. In the Comments field on the donation page, write "Coahuilan Box Turtle Project".  

 

Alternatively, you can mail a check to:

 

Turtle Conservancy
P.O. Box 1289
Ojai, California 93024

 

Write "Coahuilan Box Turtle Project" in the memo field.

 

If you have questions, please contact me at sandybarnett95 gmail.com