ID Help?

[woogiekids]

Hello tortoise experts,

My family is looking to adopt a tortoise or terrestrial turtle, but do not have the space capacity for anything that grows over 10 inches. With that being said, below are two pics of a tortoise that was rescued. The current owner has no idea what kind he is, and before we go any further in considering to adopt it, we need to figure out the type. Can you help?

Thanks! Alissa

 

[dmmj]

Looks like a box turtle to me, 3 toe. It needs it's nails trimmed badly, but that is probably as big as it gets.

 

[woogiekids]

Thanks for the reply. He's apparently around 8 inches. I thought the 3 toed boxes were smaller? And yes, he badly needs a nail trim. This individual that I'm considering adopting from rescued him from a family that was only feeding him occasionally, and obviously didn't take much care.

 

[dmmj]

If it is 8 inches it is not a 3 toe. or a box turtle.

 

[Kristina]

I am pretty sure that she is absolutely not 8 inches. They are obviously mistaken. Look at the paper towel she is sitting on - those half sheets are only 5" or so wide, and she is about the same length, if not a little smaller.

Appears to be female, and despite the badly overgrown nails, does not look to be in too bad of shape. A nail and beak trim by an experienced person, a good diet, warmth, and sunshine, and good clean water available and you would have yourself a nice pet.

 

[dmmj]

Good catch on the paper towels, I did not even notice that, and those might even be the half sheet ones.

 

[Kristina]

I'm pretty sure they are half sheets. I use those and the full sheet ones are typically as wide as they are tall.

 

[Neal]

I agree with Kristina, female three toed, Probably 6 inches max.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

And because it is a female, be careful when cutting those nails, as they are supposed to be long...

 

[Kristina]

Honestly an experienced person should do it the first time, because of the potential for splitting and cutting them too short, making them bleed.

 

[woogiekids]

Honestly an experienced person should do it the first time, because of the potential for splitting and cutting them too short, making them bleed.

I'll bring her to the vet the first time (exotic vet).

Thanks all! Looks like I'll be picking her up tomorrow. Done a ton of research, but you have any pointers? I think a turtle is the one animal I haven't kept at this point.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Alissa:

Welcome to the Forum!!

I think your measurements were just because you aren't aware of how turtles and tortoises are measured. You measure in a straight line from front to back...not curved over the shell.


Did you say in your initial post appx. where in the world you are and I missed it?

 

[jojodesca]

This does look like a three toed box turtle.....you can tell more of the gender by the tail and eyes....if the tail is long and skinny and the eyes are red or orange it is a boy. if the tail is short and fat and the eyes are brown it is a girl. the back feet are supposed to have long nails..however this turtle does look like s/he need a trim, which can be done naturally if you provide the right type of substrate and landscape to crawl through. In my enclosures I use a organic bag of top soil, coco coir and pebbles to give a more natural forest like floor. I provide flat large stones to climb over as well as trimmed bark. They enjoy being under the ground where they will burrow and poke their head out., a hollow log provides a nice shelter for them to hide in. You can use fake silk plants to make the enclosure more natural feeling, or plant live plants. Keep the enclosure moist by spritzing it with water b/c they need the humidity, a uvb bulb for sun, and a basking light. They are not water turtles, however they enjoy being able to soak so a shallow container with water that they can use and get in and out easily is ideal. Being a ttbt (three toed box turtle) they will eat a large variety of veggies and fruits as well as animal matter such as night crawlers, red wigglers, mealworms, wax worms, butter worms,crickets etc. We here on TFO that own TTBT's can assist you with more information when you need it...just ask....I have 3 ttbt and an Ornate box turtle...

 

[woogiekids]

Thanks all! I should be picking her up in a few hours. Just waiting on the guy to text me back...chop chop!

I'll post some better pics up later today once we get her trimmed up, and happy in her new home.

 

[turtlemann2]

im excited to see more detailed pictures

 

[Jacob]

Nice, but it def. needs a nail trimming.
If you can imagine its far painful to be walking on those, imagine growing out your set of nails on your fingers and toes, and having to put all your weight and walk on them :/