Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I understand this question is probably highly subjective on a number of things, but...

How long does it take for an Eastern box turtle's markings to appear? I saw on the classifieds a 4-year-old Eastern being sold, but it had no markings-it's just brown. So how many years does it take for an Eastern to start looking like an Eastern?

A bit of a loaded question, that... Can you link to a photo, or post one for us?

A captive bred young turtle might show color earlier in life due to (probably) being fed year round. A 4 yr. old CB turtle that was raised that way would probably be near-adult size and should show some color. Sometimes, though, CB turtles can have a somewhat dull coloration as a result of poor diet and husbandry.

A wild young turtle, or one that has been allowed to hibernate each winter, will be somewhat smaller and MAY not show as much color, although wild or semi-wild youngsters I have seen have been, in some respects, more colorful, earlier, that CB's.

Or the turtle in question may just not have much of a pattern, or may not be an Eastern at all, or may be an Eastern crossed with, say, a Three Toed and not have much of a pattern as a result.

Lots of variables.

True, a lot of variables.
I guess the way to go to ensure you have an Eastern is to get an adult or know/trust the breeder...Thanks.

Here's the boxies I was speaking of:
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=39&de=480824
I'm sure this breeder is great (If you're reading this), I just use this pic as an example to explain my question.

For what it's worth: I headstart eastern box turtles for a release project, and I have quite a few 18 month old youngsters that are about that size as the one shown in your link. Some of them show more coloration than the one in the photo, some show about the same degree of coloration.
The specimens in the photo don't appear (to me) to be 3 or 4 years old, and they look as though they have some pyramiding of their shells.
My guess is that the turtles for sale are younger than the stated age, which could explain the lack of pattern. My opinion is based on my observations of the many that I have hand raised over the years. Hope that helps.

I saw that add too, and they looked just like my 3-toes? Don't some 3-toes actually have 4 back toes, mine have 3 toes in back, but couldn't that add to the confusion and possible mis-labeling.

That was my first thought too, boxienuts.

Thanks for the thoughts, StephF. I'd love to hear more about your release project if you don't mind.