Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, not normally here, but over in snakes. Have a question, I think this beautiful little girl is a three toed boxie, but not sure. Can you help me identify?? Rescued her from being a speed bump about 3 years ago in a heavily populated area surrounded by major high traffic roads. And yes she is kept indoors (the pics are not of her enclosure!!) at this time because of her small size (3.5" in length) and the fact that everybody around here has "outdoor" cats. Waiting for her to get a little bigger before moving her to an outdoor space. Just wondering if you guys could help in the identification since you seem pretty knowledgeable (been reading all of your old post ) Oh and by the way, I am in the Ivan struck area of the Florida Panhandle. Thanks a bunch....

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Jenea

1:3 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly

Hi Jenea

You have a Gulf Coast Box turtle, Terrapene carolina major.

Dan

what do you look for when i.d.ing diferent boxies? that looks nothing like my Gulf coast. but then again when i asked what mine was it was split btw 3 toed anf gulf coast. someone thought it was a hybrid.
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1.1.3 Common Mud Turtles
0.0.2 R.E.S.
0.0.1 Map Turtle
1.2 Russian Tortoises
0.1.1 Gulfcost/Three Toed Boxturtles
0.1 Eastern Box Turtle
1.0 Hamsters
3.0 Dogs
2.3 Family

I think we could be more helpful; if we had more information. Can you provide a pic of her plastron? How many toes in her hind feet.?

The indents and bumps on the top of her carapace along with irregular growth on her sides and general shell shape suggest she may be needing UVB light..
Ric

UVB is provided, though I admit I did not know when we first got her. The problem is that she hids ALL day long. Never gets in the light. Comes out to eat in the morning and then hids. Very, very shy. If you change her habatiat or her view from it she goes on hunger strikes....It is her way or no way!! She HATES change. (sounds like some people I know lol) Here is the pic you asked for as well as one of her back foot (4 toes) Thanks so much for the help. Any advice is appreciated.

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Jenea

1:3 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly

I agree with the above post..
I believe you have a Gulf Coast Box.

I understand the hiding.
Try exposing her to black light in conjunction with a high UVB light. The bulbs should be no older than 9 months in both. The black light has high UBA light with affects her moods and will help immensly with her hiding.
redifrog.

I would not worry about the "hiding" too much, as this is completely natural for a young box turtle. Box turtles are almost fossorial in the first few years of life, spending most of their time under substrate so they don't get eaten by predators. I have a large (180 sq ft.) outdoor habitat, and my young Eastern box turtles only come out in the morning to forage/feed/soak, and the rest of the day they hide. For an indoor habitat, I agree with providing UVB, however, also try providing a very bright light (100-150 watt standard bulb)over one part of your enclosure in the early morning as well (sunrise). This will often stimulate the young box turtle to increase physical activity and eat. But don't worry if it goes back into "hiding" afterward, this is completely natural.

Yup, that stupid storm is heading right toward us, just like Ivan!! Hopefully it will not be as bad. We still have blue roofs from September....lot of people still haven't recovered. Not to mention the devastation of losing so many trees. Lots of habatiat destruction

Thanks for your help. It is good to know what we have. I will increase the UVB and try the black light. Thanks again.
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Jenea

1:3 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly

It looks mean. Wish you guys the best of luck. If you guys have any doubt in your minds - GET OUTTA THERE!!! Got to go with your instincts.