What kind is this?

[DutchieAmanda]

Yesterday, I saw an add for this animal. It says it's a tortoise that won't grow any bigger than 12 cm. Can anyone help me ID this animal (sorry for the bad pics)?

 

[tglazie]

Central American Wood Turtle, Rhinoclemmys pulcherimma, if I recall correctly. Largely terrestrial, I once fostered one of these. They're highly intelligent, very responsive little critters. You can keep them like a tropical box turtle. Mostly terrestrial, they enjoy a good bit of humidity (mine was always active in the rain). They're omnivores in the truest sense, taking down any prey they can subdue while opportunistically feeding on a wide variety of fruits and veggies. Their size depends upon the particular subspecies, which is something in which I'm hardly an expert. But I have seen some that were under the six inch mark, and I've seen others that were quite a bit larger. I don't know if there's differing care requirements concerning the varying subspecies. But anywho, at least you have a name for the particular beastie. Now it's time to do some research.

T.G.

 

[enchilada]

mine is a moving garbage collector------if its soft enough to swallow, he will swallow

 

[DutchieAmanda]

Thanks a lot! I'm not really planning on buying this animal, but I was curious because the species wasn't mentioned in the ad (and I love to learn).

He looks beautiful though

 

[BrianWI]

They look like a painted turtle.