Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Crossing the road today into my back yard was a good size what apears to be box turtle. It has a dark sold color shell. shell is 7-8 inches long, he has a yellow lower jaw, and it looks as if hes smiling. ive seen it on here or someones page befor but i thought it was not native to michigan, at leased not to the detroit area where its all businesses and no woods. he has had his 1 hind foot tore off(old injury) but has rubbed it raw from walking on the cement. his shell also is in perfect shape, mild peeling, used to humans and wasnt even scared and did not hide in shell when picked up to clean off wound. What do you think he is?

i think it is a blandings but every site i find shows spots and this is a solid colored

many of them are less spotted and some even have a fairly evenly dark appareance. I imagine age is associated with melanism as well as this is the case with many other species.

If it is a blandings (they don't always have spots) you need to return it to where you found it and set it loose. They are endangered and illegal to collect or keep I believe.

Many wild turtles are not bothered by humans. I've fed wild turtles by hand in the woods and even pet their heads. Some are just less shy than others.

I agree above, Its a three striped box turtle from China (or the Philly Zoo).

Who ever said a blandings turtle (never saw one before). Has no clue! Would probably confuse a guy for a girl. Doesn't know the difference of a woman with PMS and a female canine. Thinks chocolate milk comes from brown cows. Thinks the green things on trees is money.

LMFAO you are looking at the wrong post.

I cannot return it to where it was found because it was found in the city where there is no place to let it go, it was in the middle of a busy intersection, no clue where it came from, but it is now at my parents house roaming their marsh beind the house. layed some eggs above ground that didnt make it, but doing well

if it was shaped like a box turtle, 8 inches long, all dark colored and had a yellow neck and you are in Michigan the best bet is Blanding's turtle. Your state is home to the best-known Blanding's researchers in the world. here's some pics
see if this is your guy:

blandings narrative at U of Mich

blandinhgs photos

more blandings

good shot of blanding's