Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
This turtle is in Southeastern Louisiana...Please let me know what kind he is.
Thanks for your time.

Eastern box turtle (Terrapene c. carolina)

Thanks.

np.

Thanks I read that the males often have very colorful heads, so maybe this one was a male...I didn't bother him to find out, just curious what kind he was.

Easterns do not have this classic head coloration. Shell pattern is quite variable in triunguis, but this head color is definitive.

Looks like a MALE 3-toed to me. Although the shell has a little pattern that looks Eastern... But if you found him in Louisiana, then it is a 3-toed. Easterns are found up north. It is definately a boy though, and a very beautiful one at that!

Depending on the size and number of toes on the back feet, this could be a Gulf Coast - they are common in parts of Louisiana. Not an Eastern (Carolina carolina). I'd say 3 toes on the rear feet is three-toe, and four toes a Gulf Coast.Gulf Coast are larger than 3 toes (5-6) inches and flatter on the top. Could also be a cross of any of the above. The shell looks Eastern to Gulf Coast but the head looks like a 3 toe - Gulf Coast heads are more plain from what I have seen. Three toes always have 3 toes.
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Marlaina Barr
Gulf Coast Turtle & Tortoise Society
http://www.gctts.org

"Three toes always have 3 toes."
actually, most(if not all) T.C. ssp. can have 3-4 toes and identifiying them by the amount of toes they have will just lead eventually lead to incorrect identification, it's not uncommon at all to find 3 toeds with 4 toes and gulf coasts with 3 toes or easternes with 3 toes.
as for the pic this thread is about thats deffinatly not a 3-toed, the head shape is wrong the bottom jaw is too bowed looking so.. my vote goes for T.c. major.
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My Site
1.2.1 Terrapene Carolina Triunguis
0.1 Nymphicus hollandicus
1.1 Melopsittacus undulatus
1.0 American Cocker Spaniels
1.0 American Short Hair? Cat
1.1 Rouen Ducks