Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I saw a box turtle in a pet shop listed as a ornate but it might be a eastern. It had yellow lines on its shell but the top of his/her head wasnt green. Do they both have different number of nails or scutes? How can I tell if its an eastern?

Ornates don't always have green heads, some are yellow, some are just faded yellow to grey. The easiest method is to run your finger down the spine or observe closely. Easterns will have a keel (ridge) down the back-bone, while Ornates are smooth. Ornates are commonly smaller animals too. Both have four toes normally but ornate shells can be rather flat on top while Easterns are rounded.

Paul

ornate box turtle

eastern box turtle