New here need help identifying

[Peliroja32]

My name is kristi, my son found this guy/or girl behind our house in southern MS. Raccoons almost got him. Not exactly sure what species it is or what kind of habitat to ready.

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

Beautiful box turtle. I'm not sure what the laws in Mississippi are in regards to collecting them from the wild - you may need a license to keep this turtle.

This is the forum's care sheet http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/box-turtle-care-sheet.93937/

 

[teresaf]

Eastern box turtle? Someone here should know if they're protected or not in South Mississippi...?

 

[PJay]

You are in both Gulf Coast Box Turtle and Three toed Box Turtle range. I think you have a Gulf Coast. How many toes are on the rear feet?

 

[Stuart S.]

Hello and welcome! Gulf Coast @cmac3 ??

It's probably best to return it to a secluded area near where your son found him

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome!

Box turtles are territorial. He needs to be returned to the wild near where he was found. If you put him anyplace else, he will probably die trying to get back to his territory.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Just because that turtle has to go back to the wild doesn't mean that you and your son have to give up.
How about getting a tortoise or turtle that you can keep and stay here with us on the forum?

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Please put him back in the woods, he'd be a lot better off.

 

[Peliroja32]

You are in both Gulf Coast Box Turtle and Three toed Box Turtle range. I think you have a Gulf Coast. How many toes are on the rear feet?

4 toes on the rear feet

 

[lisa127]

That looks to be a gulf coast box turtle.