Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been checking the classifieds(KS and others) lately since it's hatchling season and realised no one has gulf coasties, this got me wondering why, is there a reason for their lack of popularity?
it doesn't make sence to me, they have the most variety(which is why they can be hard to ID)I know they are the largest of the american ssp. does this play a part in it?

Gulf Coast box turtles have an identity crisis. In different areas, they are just large three-toes, Eastern/Florida intergrades, Easter/Florida/three-toe intergrades, or true Gulf Coasts that intergrade with the other three. It is very difficult to find "true" Gulf Coasts. Also, true Gulf Coasts have an affinity for swamps. They are considered by some to be the most aquatic of any of the US box turtles. Humid, hot, mosquito infested swamps are not the most friendly places for a herper. I think these things have lead to their scarcity in the hobby.

Also, Florida and Louisiana (where a large portion of G.C. populations are) have enacted laws to protect their box turtles. I purchased two CB babies out of SC. Well, one is becoming the most beautiful "true appearing" Gulf Coast. The other is a three-toe. I was so excited to get them, I forgot to count toes! OOPS!

Are you interested in obtaining some, or are you just curious? Meaning, I can keep you posted if I locate some CB babies. I actually posted a question much like yours a few months back. Here's a pic of the "true appearing" Gulf Coast about a year ago. It's one of the flattest box turtles I've ever seen, but that is apparently one of the traits of a GC box turtle.

I am torn between another box turtle ssp. or russian torts. this of course is a few years down the road but you can never know enough before you get them.

something that I've seen fairly common with GCs that I dont really see with other ssp. is the shape/thickness of the bottom jaw.
T.c. Major pic

'I've been checking the classifieds(KS and others) lately since it's hatchling season and realized no one has gulf coasties, this got me wondering why, is there a reason for their lack of popularity? ?it doesn't make sense to me, they have the most variety(which is why they can be hard to ID)I know they are the largest of the american ssp. does this play a part in it?'

Being the largest of our subspecies they have a tendency to bully the other subspecies around, if kept in the same enclosure.

There is a great deal of hybridization that occurs naturally in their native area; due to overlapping ranges with the Florida Box and Eastern Box. Consequently it's difficult to know what genetic variances each carries in their line and how pure a strain they are. When an individual wishes to acquire a Gulf Coast Boxie their expectations also vary depending on what they believe a Gulf Coast Boxie should look like. As such, there is a great deal of differing opinions on what comprises a true Gulf Coast Boxie.

A case in point, on a recent post, it was stated that an individual had a rare coloration for a Gulf Coast Boxie because it had white facial markings; when in reality a white patterned face is a common trait for them.

Their requirements for needing to spend much more time in an aquatic environment coupled with their size and food intake make inland enclosures more difficult to set up properly than for the other subspecies.

So it's a combination of factors that are inhibiting their popularity; although they are a handsome, intelligent and very interesting subspecies.

Ric K.