Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Not sure if he is a tortoise or a turtle. Thinking tortoise. Almost ran him over today. He doesn't look like the woodsy type of animal tho. Thanks.

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/peachskittles/detail?.dir=/2229&.dnm=e942.jpg

Not sure if that link worked so I am trying again.

You have a BOX TURTLE there. They are indeed turtles, not tortoises, but are quite terrestrial in their habits, similar to tortoises. If you look closely, you will see that turtles have smooth skin on the tops of their heads while the tortoises have scales. Turtles have webbed feet and flexible toes, while the tortoises have elephantine feet and cannot flex their toes because they have evolved for walking on land to the point where the tortoises have one less bone in their toes than turtles. Another adaptation for land is the highly domed shell which helps the animal to conserve water. Box (and some other terrestrial turtles) share this adaptation with the tortoises, but the other criteria listed above will help to separate turtles from tortoises if you ever have a question about which one you may have.

Looks like a young adult male... Not sure what region you are in, but from New Jersey northward, they are protected so be sure to know your local laws.

He's a beauty.

Paul

deffinatly an eastern box turtle (T.C.Carolina) I think they're protected throughout their range though I'm probly wrong.
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