Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, I have been going back and forth as to which subspecies this is. Silly me did not get a toe count on the hind legs. Even though some three-toed's may have 4. Anyways, I live in east central MS. According to Peterson's, right around where I live is the boundary line for each the Eastern and Three-toed. I know in the field I find each subspecies and also I think maybe intergrades. Some specimens I find clearly point either way. My question is : Superficially, what would you call this turtle? An Eastern or Three-Toed. KIND opinions are appreciated. Thanks! =)

My first instinct would say intergrade, but it could very well be a pure Three-Toed. I have a pure Three toed that has similiar markings (actually i'll post a picture of her with this) the markings seem to be becoming less evident now that she is growing older too. It is definately not a pure Easter (T. C.C. in my experience with them.)
Thanx, Leo

Skin & Scales

The mother(turtle pictured in original post) was laying her eggs on a dirt road which is traveled frequently. So instead of letting them get crushed I collected, incubated, and hatched them. The hatchlings seem to have more characteristics of an Eastern. They have a light spot in each large scute as well as dark pigment concentrated on the center of the plastron.

I live in Eastern boxie territory (Michigan). Every eastern I've seen here has had a shell that is much more flat than that turtle. Their shells are also more oval than round.

Maybe that is just a regional variation, though, I don't know.
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.3.0 chickens
3.2.0 children
1.0.0 husband