Differences

[Raymo2477]

CAn some one tell me how to tell the difference between a desert and an ornate box turtle? I have one that I can't Id.

 

[Hunahpu]

To my knowledge, desert box turtles usually have greenish heads and a lot of fine yellow radiating lines on the shell whereas ornates usually have a brown head and thicker, less numerous yellow lines.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

The desert race (ornata luteola) typically has 11-14 narrow lines present on the second costal scute. Ornata ornata usually has 8-11. If you post a picture we can help you ID him.

 

[Saloli]

Note luteola and ornata are subspecies not races. A race has less genetic differences then a subspecies. Some examples are Boa constrictor imperator is a subspecies of Boa constrictor where as the Columbian Red tail Boa is a race of Boa constrictor imperator as is the Mexican Boa.

 

[turtlemann2]

pictures may help the number of lines as posted above is probibly the best bet, although the (green head) thing is wrong as many male ornates have a greeeeeeene head