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Three-toed Box Turtle

Terrapene carolina triunguis

Description:

My son thought our dog had brought in a rock, but upon picking it up he realized it was a baby turtle. We are having trouble identifying it. I'm not sure if the markings on the carapace are from our dog's teeth scratching it, or if they are markings. Front feet have four toes each, Back feet have three toes each. Thanks for your help.

1 Species ID Suggestions

AshleyT
AshleyT 10 years ago
Three-toed Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina triunguis Three-toed box turtle


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20 Comments

mom23boys
mom23boys 10 years ago

Thanks for helping me ID this sweet baby AshleyT

Jellis
Jellis 10 years ago

Your welcome Gilma

Jellis, thank you so much for the delightful Link:http://www.marietta.edu/~mcshaffd/boxt/b..I adore turtles and it was such a pleasure reading the struggles and victories of raising them.

Jellis
Jellis 10 years ago

Your right Ashley. When I first read it was misleading when it said 4 toes on each, so didn't continue to see the added 3 on back.

AshleyT
AshleyT 10 years ago

And, it's the back feet that this turtle gets its name from. Since this one has three toes on the back feet, it isn't going to be a hybrid.

AshleyT
AshleyT 10 years ago

Yes, I can read. Just because "some speculate" that doesn't mean it happens often.

mom23boys
mom23boys 10 years ago

It's not dead. Just a chip on rear of shell is only damage I can tell.

Jellis
Jellis 10 years ago

Also read this.
However, some speculate that the 4-toed individuals are actually Eastern box turtle × three-toed box turtle hybrids

Guy Bird
Guy Bird 10 years ago

So it is dead?

mom23boys
mom23boys 10 years ago

Guy Bird, unfortunately the big eyes could be swelling. No telling how long my boston terrier "played" with it outside before she brought it thru the dog door. :(

AshleyT
AshleyT 10 years ago

If anyone bothered to read the description you would know that it can't be an eastern box turtle, number of toes is wrong for both front and back feet.

mom23boys
mom23boys 10 years ago

Gilma, I think we're gonna keep it. I have 3 sons (oldest is 13, and twins are 11) and they have named him "Bumper" and want to keep it. I just gotta talk my husband into it. ;)

KarenSaxton
KarenSaxton 10 years ago

Then again... maybe jellis has it. Looks really similar

KarenSaxton
KarenSaxton 10 years ago

The shell isn't high enough domed for a box turtle. I'd hazard mud turtle.

So cute!! Hope you get an ID, mom23boys. What are you going to do with it, it looks very young!

Jellis
Jellis 10 years ago

Looks like a baby Eastern Box Turtle baby

jamiewgoodspeed
jamiewgoodspeed 10 years ago

looks like a eastern box turtle it could also be a three toed box turtle.

Guy Bird
Guy Bird 10 years ago

Those are the biggest eyes of any turtle I've ever seen!

KarenSaxton
KarenSaxton 10 years ago

Love picture 3.

mom23boys
Spotted by
mom23boys

Oxford, Mississippi, USA

Spotted on Mar 26, 2014
Submitted on Mar 27, 2014

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