Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I learned something very interesting about these endangered little shelled kids.
The accredited zoos around the nation have a breeding program for these guys. Strict records are kept on them, there is a stud book for them & when there is a successful breeding of them the babies are placed in different institutions for future breeding.
Zoos nationwide are making a real effort to keep this species thriving. How neat!
Here's a couple of pics I took, the male was out, the female was hiding somewhere in the enclosure so I didn't get her pic.
I got a photo of one baby that isn't on display to the public.
They are so neat looking!

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PHRatz

Thanks Ratz! I'm OBSESSED with these turtles! I got so excited when you said you were going to post pics of them. I've seen them up close and personal at the Cape May Zoo in NJ, but those animals looked extremely rough. I think that they are also participating in the breeding program you mentioned. They have several rare chelonians.
Thanks for the pics.

>>Thanks Ratz! I'm OBSESSED with these turtles! I got so excited when you said you were going to post pics of them. I've seen them up close and personal at the Cape May Zoo in NJ, but those animals looked extremely rough. I think that they are also participating in the breeding program you mentioned. They have several rare chelonians.
>>Thanks for the pics.

Oh that's a shame the ones you saw looked rough. I know turtles & tortoises in the wild can look that way but geeze in captivity I like for them to look clean & pretty.
When we went on vaction we boarded our sulcata with the vet, she came home dirty because in their outdoor enclosure they don't have a nice clean home for them to stay in, like Destiny is used to. I was not angry but I was annoyed because at home she bathes in her huge dish & stays clean looking 99% of the time. It took 2 weeks for all the dirt to come off her once she got home.
I don't like her covered in dirt, I'm just picky that way lol.
Anyway...
The Abilene Zoo is the only place I have ever seen one of these boxies live & up close. I was so happy to finally get a few shots of them! I was really happy to hear too that some years they do produce viable eggs. He said it didn't happen this year but my pal has only been there for a year & he's only been able to hire good experienced staff since he got there. Maybe in spring they'll have success.
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PHRatz

They are so interesting. I really like them. I'm jealous you got to see them!

>>They are so interesting. I really like them. I'm jealous you got to see them!

I knew they were there because I saw them last year & couldn't get pics but maaan I was really excited about it both times!
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PHRatz

I've wanted to see/keep since I was 11! I remember first reading of them in a list of protected species, labeled as "Aquatic Box Turtle - Terrapene Cohuila". I may never get the chance to keep one, but I really do enjoy seeing pictures of them and hearing about them.

>>I've wanted to see/keep since I was 11! I remember first reading of them in a list of protected species, labeled as "Aquatic Box Turtle - Terrapene Cohuila". I may never get the chance to keep one, but I really do enjoy seeing pictures of them and hearing about them.

I'm glad you enjoyed the pics!
I have that out of print Pritchard's turtle/tortoise encyclopedia, sometimes I just can't get over how beautiful some of the turt pics in the book are.
Makes me want this or that turtle but I know I can't have them.
I have enough as it is! LOL
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PHRatz

I remember reading about them in a National Geographic magazine! The pictures were stunning, and they looked just like the one you have shown. Was there a pond nearby? I remember the article saying they rarely left the water.

It's great zoos have become involved in turtles survival. Another organization that promotes breeding of endangered species of turtles is the Turtle Survival Alliance. If you or someone you know breds rare turtles you may want to check out TSA.
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Tess
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