Alright guys and gals...I got a bit of a long shot for you to help me out with. This would be easier if I had pictures but since I don't I will have to do my best to describe this to you...as I have not seen anything resembling this turtle..ever.
Many years ago when I was just a kid growing up in Slidell, Louisiana, I had numerous box turtles that I either bought for likr $5 from the pet store down the street, or found on the roadside.
One day a family friend of ours stopped by our house with a turtle she had seen out in the middle of a busy road (and subsequently stopped traffic) and saved her (she ended up laying eggs and I had hatchlings)
Needless to say, She was unlike any of my other turtles and hopefully someone might be able to match a species to my description
Her shell was all black with a yellowish colored spine. Her underside was a lighter color similar to her spine.
Her shell wasn't flat or highly domed. Pretty average curve.
She was bigger than my other box turtles. Think of your average 3 toed box turtle...and add about 2 inches. She was pretty big compared to my other box turtles. Maybe 7 or 8 inches long.
I *think* I recall her head being lighter colored too.
She is not a terrapin (like a diamond back terrapin) and didn't have webbed feet.
Since she was found on the road in Louisiana...I figure the species to be native to the locale.
I dunno...I probably have you all confused...but for years this has been bugging the crap out of me and I just can't figure it out!
Thanks for any help (or a possible ID!)
Many years ago when I was just a kid growing up in Slidell, Louisiana, I had numerous box turtles that I either bought for likr $5 from the pet store down the street, or found on the roadside.
One day a family friend of ours stopped by our house with a turtle she had seen out in the middle of a busy road (and subsequently stopped traffic) and saved her (she ended up laying eggs and I had hatchlings)
Needless to say, She was unlike any of my other turtles and hopefully someone might be able to match a species to my description
Her shell was all black with a yellowish colored spine. Her underside was a lighter color similar to her spine.
Her shell wasn't flat or highly domed. Pretty average curve.
She was bigger than my other box turtles. Think of your average 3 toed box turtle...and add about 2 inches. She was pretty big compared to my other box turtles. Maybe 7 or 8 inches long.
I *think* I recall her head being lighter colored too.
She is not a terrapin (like a diamond back terrapin) and didn't have webbed feet.
Since she was found on the road in Louisiana...I figure the species to be native to the locale.
I dunno...I probably have you all confused...but for years this has been bugging the crap out of me and I just can't figure it out!
Thanks for any help (or a possible ID!)