Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We found this little guy a while back (I almost mowed him). We live in Virginia 30 miles outside Washington. No local vets know what he is. He loves earthworms, but doesn't seem to eat much of the lettuce or veggies we give him (except for radishes and tomatoes). Anyone know what this is?

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Not an eastcoast box. the shell is too domed and the head is very squat and round. I'll keep looking into it. I've been around eastcoast boxes my whole life, and this just doesn't look like one. (unless its mal-formed of course). count the toes, may be a 3 toed box.

Yeah, i thought the color was a little off for a young eastern...

This is most likely an eastern box turtle: depending on the individual, they are not necessarily very colorful at a young age, and body shape can be variable as well (although this one is showing signs of being mal-formed).

The slight pyramiding is more likely due to diet that isn't varied enough, possibly in combination with inadequate lighting. Humidity doesn't seem to influence shell formation in box turtles the way it does in tortoises.
Here is a link to a website that has terrific information about box turtle care. Please check out the chapters on diet and housing, and the link for indoor turtle housing.

Stephanie
Link

Given your location, it's an Eastern.

It does look a little weird. Did you find it like that?

Deformed Boxie. Weird. Kinda looks 3-toed.

Agreed. I assume you found him in his current condition. I have several like this that were suffering from poor diet and too dry an environment.