Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Seen this gal in the woods yesterday.She was near a male so hopefully thay had mated.She seems to be VERY old.Even the edge of her marginals were worn down.She was like a ball.I wanted better close-ups but I was trying to photo her,keep the rain off the camera and keep the puppy I'm teaching to point turtles at bay.

plastron of old EBT

Side view of old EBT.My parent's puppy Hummer in the background.She pointed her first turtle yesterday.

Hummer looks like a lot of fun!

The turtle is definitely fire scarred. What a warrior!

So are you saying that turtle may or may not be old? That being thru a fire made it look that way, regardless of age? Just wondering? It looks older than dirt, but I suppose a hard life you do that to?
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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com

I don't think that's fire scarring. Box turtles that are fire-scarred usually have the top part of the shell damaged from fire, not the bottom. They dig in to the ground and the lower part of the shell that's below the surface is protected from the fire while the dome of the shell that's exposed to the fire is burned. The shell pattern is usually obliterated on the back of the shell where it's basically melted off.

I have walked fresh burns in Apalachicola, FL. Basically, turtles that have been in contact with the flames appear to get the patterns burned off, exposed bone, and even a "melted" appearance. Turtles that appear to be untouched by the actual flames, but yet exposed to the high heat tend to get the cracking (as seen on the plastron) and the bumpiness on the shell without more severe scarring. I have some pictures, but time is scarce these days.

Jeff, yeah man, I think she's old too. The cracking on the plastron (without obvious blunt trauma) is really what makes me suspect exposure to the high heat of a fire.

That is one ancient box turtle. It takes many, many decades to wear a shell down like that. She may have witnessed parts of three centuries.

Wow,..... very cool find. She does look like she has been through a fire. Hummer looks like a mischievous little pup. He's definately in the fun stage of life.

I thought I had one that was really old. She's got some battle scars but I think that old gal you had is older.

Here's my old gal........

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Vichris
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane"- Marcus Aurelius

Vichris Variables

I have seen really old turtles and they don't look a day over 100, lol! This one has been in a brush fire or maybe someone's leaf pile that got burned.
Remarkable! Thanks for sharing.
Tess