New Box Turtle....

[NATURALIS]

anyone got picture's of gulf coast's ???

[EJ]

The only one I found was in 83'... long before digital and I didn't realize the value of photo archiving.

The animal was close to 10 inches SCL... no pattern... never saw its head because I found it roadside and it was frightened. I'll never forget how massive it was. It was found just outside of Gulfport, MS... and it was left alone a little further off the road.

It's amazing how uncommon they seem to be in collections here in the states.

Vetter has some good photos in Turtles of the world vol 2... I was surprised to see a turtle similar to the one in question but about 3x the size.

Originally Posted by NATURALIS

anyone got picture's of gulf coast's ???

[Kirkie]

I have but it doesn't help.

[EJ]

how old is that animal? I've never seen one that light but I know the coloration of the scutes are a very thin layer on most chelonians that I know of. If it is an older animal I can see how it would be worn off.

Originally Posted by Kirkie

I have but it doesn't help.

[Kirkie]

I dont know the age but its got to be pre '94 CITES.

Apparently this colour is found in Louisiana populations. Theres a few animals with this colouration if you google gulf coast box turtle.

[hoopalou]

Originally Posted by Kirkie

Mine are good thanks, Ornate eggs cooking again. It just looks like a GC too me. Who know what effect growing up in a hairdressers has had on it. Maybe the growths a bit stunted (no offence to the new owner ).

Kirkie, I have no idea how it was kept in the hairdressers. It was there for 14 years though. I can't imagine that the setup was optimal. It has passed through three sets of hands in the last few months since the hairdresser's so it's origin, history and how it was kept has been more or less lost.
Interestingly though... the main reptile shop in Dublin (Reptile Haven) did tell me that 10/15 years ago they did sell a lot of W/C Box Turtles, and they were much easier to get in the pet trade back then. They hardly ever see them anymore.
But thanks for chipping in! Your turtle is simply stunning.

[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by NATURALIS

anyone got picture's of gulf coast's ???

picture of one of my female Gulf coast box turtles

[hoopalou]

My gosh, she's the very same.... my one has redder eyes... but the shell and the coloring are veeeery similar. How large is this girl please?

[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by hoopalou

My gosh, she's the very same.... my one has redder eyes... but the shell and the coloring are veeeery similar. How large is this girl please?

I have two captive bred females which are about 14 cm SCL, and weigh about 500 g:

you will not the white chin in these animals, which is quite a common feature in this sub species. So too, the mottled colour in the head.

[EJ]

What did the parents of that animal look like?

The animal I found was a full adult and all subsequent Gulf Coast Box turtles I've seen were full adults. I would think a 14 year old boxie would be close to adult.

Originally Posted by Geomyda

picture of one of my female Gulf coast box turtles