ID pretty please?

[elainea]

Hey y'all! My dog found this guy/gal in our backyard today. We live in Shreveport, LA.. Any ideas on what kind? We are debating building an outdoor enclosure or just driving him out to set him free in the woods. Advice?

He is very shy. Orange spikes on his front legs.

 

[mike taylor]

Its a three toed box turtle . It's best to put it back in the wild .

 

[lisa127]

Where it was found.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Elainea:

That's a box turtle, probably a three-toe box turtle. You say your dog found it in your back yard. So I wouldn't be a good idea to put it back where you found it or he'll get it again. But box turtles are very territorial, so wherever you put him, he's going to keep trying to get back to his home territory. Is there a wild, natural area around where you live? It also could be someone's escaped pet, but judging from how tightly he's closed up, my best guess is that he's a wild turtle.

 

[lisa127]

Hi Elainea:

That's a box turtle, probably a three-toe box turtle. You say your dog found it in your back yard. So I wouldn't be a good idea to put it back where you found it or he'll get it again. But box turtles are very territorial, so wherever you put him, he's going to keep trying to get back to his home territory. Is there a wild, natural area around where you live? It also could be someone's escaped pet, but judging from how tightly he's closed up, my best guess is that he's a wild turtle.

Good point! Forgot she said the dog found it in the yard!....

 

[elainea]

Good point! Forgot she said the dog found it in the yard!....