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i have a question abuot gulf coast and eastern boxies. is there a difference in them other than apperiance? whats really going on?

They are different subspecies. In the wild, Easterns and Gulf Coasts interbreed where their ranges overlap.

Tim

Third Eye

"i have a question abuot gulf coast and eastern boxies. is there a difference in them other than apperiance? whats really going on?"

I am sure that there are genetic differences as well as differences in appearance. Also, there are some behavioral differences.

Gulf Coast box turtles are still relatively poorly studied. There are several reasons for this:
- Their habitat choice and range is difficult to access and includes some very economically depressed areas.
- There are huge areas where these turtles intergrade with Easterns, Floridas, and Three-toes. The range of actual TRUE Gulf Coasts is small.
- They are thought of as ugly by many people. And, they are very large and active. Therefore, less people have kept them as pets. "Ugly" herps have historically received less attention, though that seems to be changing lately.

I have been fortunate enough to see a number of true Gulf Coasts in the wilds of the Florida panhandle. At less than 15 miles from the Gulf, where Florida literally juts out into the water, we were knee deep in their "pure" range. When you get your hands onto some true Gulf Coasts, it is clear that they are very different from the other subspecies.

I agree with Tim about the intergrading. I would bet that at least 50% of the Gulf Coast box turtles being kept as pets today are at least partially diluted with Eastern and/or Three-toe blood.

so what distinguishes their range? also how do you know if you got a eastern, gulf coast, or florida boxie if all their blood is mixed? i live in houston and whenever i find a boxie i just assumed gulf coast and however many toes it had. i mean in my 28 years i have found hundreds all colors and all patterns. whats really going on?