Box turtles. What are we?? Help

[Heide]

Hi Im Heide. Last year I was given two 10 year old box turtles. After a lot of reaching we are all three doing well. I thought they were mexican box turtles because my friend had gotten their parents about 50 or so years ago I have not been able to find a picture that looks like them. I was hoping you could help me out.

 

[Toddrickfl1]

The first two look like three toed box turtles, the third I can't tell. They also look pretty rough. Their shell is not suppose to look like that. They were, or are suffering from mbd from not being raised correctly.

 

[Maro2Bear]

I dunno, we've seen much worse. They don’t look too bad! Nice bright eyes. A humid looking environment. Basking away.

 

[Heide]

The first two look like three toed box turtles, the third I can't tell. They also look pretty rough. Their shell is not suppose to look like that. They were, or are suffering from mbd from not being raised correctly.

Not three toed. Were raised in a yard and fed only some times. Sense I’ve had them they have been given supplements to their diets because I could tell their shells didn’t look good. After this winters burmate they are happy and active. Thanks for your response. All advice gladly received. Thanks

 

[Yvonne G]

They look like three toed to me also. Maybe if you take them out and line them up so we can see their shells better????

 

[ColleenT]

Turtle in the top photo looks to have severe MBD. Shell should be taller. I hope you can help them.

 

[Heide]

Turtle in the top photo looks to have severe MBD. Shell should be taller. I hope you can help them.

Don’t know what that is. Could you please tell me. Also what can be done for that problem. Thanks

 

[ColleenT]

Metabolic Bone disease. You can't do much now. It is something that needs to be prevented. You can google it for Box turtles.

 

[Heide]

Metabolic Bone disease. You can't do much now. It is something that needs to be prevented. You can google it for Box turtles.

Okay I’ve read about it. I saw the problem when I got them. I know their diet was only what they could get in the yard in California. With the occasional treat of lettuce and berries.also worms. My two are 10 years old. For the last year I have been trying to get a better diet for them. Plus supl

 

[Heide]

First two pictures are my female. The other two are my male

Okay I’ve read about it. I saw the problem when I got them. I know their diet was only what they could get in the yard in California. With the occasional treat of lettuce and berries.also worms. My two are 10 years old. For the last year I have been trying to get a better diet for them. Plus supl

This

 

[Heide]

This is my male

 

[Heide]

Having a picture problem

First two pictures are my female. The other two are my male

This

This is my male.

 

[Heide]

First two pictures are my female. The other two are my male

Okay I’ve read about it. I saw the problem when I got them. I know their diet was only what they could get in the yard in California. With the occasional treat of lettuce and berries.also worms. My two are 10 years old. For the last year I have been trying to get a better diet for them. Plus supl

This

 

[Heide]

lol still don’t what they are. I keep them separate in the house during the winter because the female keeps mounting my male and I think it stresses him out Is this normal behavior. As if they don’t have enough problems.

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Are you sure they're not three Toed box turtles? They certainly look like three Toed's. Not all three toed box turtles have three toes on the back limbs some have four.

 

[Heide]

Are you sure they're not three Toed box turtles? They certainly look like three Toed's. Not all three toed box turtles have three toes on the back limbs some have four.

Did not know that they could have four toes. Thus my confusion. So its possible that they are three toed. Any other way to tell?

 

[Heide]

Can they have 5 toes in front and in the back

 

[Heide]

Can they have 5 toes in front and 4
in the back

 

[PJay]

Yes, three toed box turtles can have 4 toes on the back legs. They would have 5 on the front. Your turtles have some of classic markings of three toed box turtles. Any gender of turtle can mount another as an act of dominance and that will stress the meeker turtle. Definitely keep them separated if they are in a smaller set up. If you can get them outside in a large area they would probably be ok together. Even then, you would have to observe them closely to see how they are getting along.

 

[Heide]

Yes, three toed box turtles can have 4 toes on the back legs. They would have 5 on the front. Your turtles have some of classic markings of three toed box turtles. Any gender of turtle can mount another as an act of dominance and that will stress the meeker turtle. Definitely keep them separated if they are in a smaller set up. If you can get them outside in a large area they would probably be ok together. Even then, you would have to observe them closely to see how they are getting along.

Thanks. That really helps.