Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How do you determine the difference between a hatchling eastern or ornate? I have tried searching the net for photos but many of them look the same.

My daughter happened to find a nest site with (4) hatchling box turtles and we weren't sure what kind they were and thought maybe you guys had some pics to show the differences.

They were in the Black Mnt. range in NC (near Asheville) and were at an altitude of approximately 3000 feet. They were basically brown and each one had 9 yellowish spots, 4 on each side and one dead center of the rear at the tail. Necks have light colored yellowish spots here and there. Alnog the center of the shell is non distincy (pattern) yellowish spots.

Hope that helps some, thanks

dc

The range should help- Asheville is 400-500 miles from the nearest ornate populations. Transplants are always a possibility, but it is much more likely that you are seeing native eastern box turtles (T. c. carolina).

I agree. Most definitely Easterns. They are very pretty up in Asheville, and are still fairly abundant there.

1st pic Ornate. 2nd pic Eastern.

We didn't have a feild guide so thanks for the id's.