Driveway Surprise

PJay

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I was visiting family when this three toed male was crossing the driveway as we were coming in. His plastron is only slightly concave, but he had red eyes and some nice color on his head/neck/legs. He was timid at first but then became very assertive. I took some pictures and put him back along the edge of a creek he was traveling down. It was a good day!20170415_112113.jpg 20170415_112120.jpg 20170415_112213.jpg
 

PJay

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He does look like he would like to bite you. Stodgy fellow.
He extended his neck up and back over his shell and chomped his beak a few times, but it was all show. He then let me scratch his head and neck and didn't offer to bite even when I touched his nose with my finger. I think he was mostly concerned with going on his way to find a female.
 

PJay

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Why is it called 3 toed? It clearly has more than 3 claws..
As Colleen said they have three toes on the back feet instead of 4 like others box turtles. You are looking at the front feet where they, like all box turtles, have 5 toes. Anyone have any information or theories about why that adaptation occurred? I've been mulling that over in the back of my brain but haven't come up with any ideas.
 

Alicia Hoogstra

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That is an amazing find! I hope to find turtles this year in some of our lakes...and maybe, I'll be able to identify them this year!!
 

PJay

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As Colleen said they have three toes on the back feet instead of 4 like others box turtles. You are looking at the front feet where they, like all box turtles, have 5 toes. Anyone have any information or theories about why that adaptation occurred? I've been mulling that over in the back of my brain but haven't come up with any ideas.
I feel the need to correct my previous statement about all other box turtles having four toes. As Chris points out, Florida box turtles can also have three toes on the rear feet.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/florida-box-turtle-vs-ornate-box-turtle.154272/
 

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