Please help me identify this baby turtle

[liesaallie]

I found this baby turtle last week in my driveway in Panama City Beach, Florida. We've been keeping him in a bowl of shallow water with a few rocks to climb on. We have fed him turtle stick food from the pet store, but he hasn't eaten any for a couple days now. It looks like he has little claws on his feet. I have searched through pictures on the internet, but can't find any that have the bright yellow stripe down the middle with yellow dots around the outer shell rim. I want to do what's best for the turtle. Can anyone please identify and tell me how to take care of it, or if I should let it go? If I need to let it go, where would be the best place? I worry about it starving or getting eaten by a bird. Thanks everyone!

 

[Markw84]

Cute guy! Florida Box Turtle hatchling.

 

[Yvonne G]

Sorry, I'm no good at I.D.ing baby water turtles. He's awfully cute, though. Try offering him some live food, like worms or crickets.

 

[Yvonne G]

Cute guy! Florida Box Turtle hatchling.

No, I don't think so. I went back and forth between water turtle and box turtle, and I really can't say for sure, but Florida box turtles look like this as hatchlings:

 

[Yvonne G]

It could possibly be a Gulf coast box turtle hatchling:

 

[Yvonne G]

So, @liesaallie : If it is a box turtle hatchling, it's not a water turtle. Here's how to take care of it:

http://turtlepuddle.org/american/boxcare.html

If Gulf coast box turtles are protected in Florida, then putting it back close to where you found it is the best idea.

 

[lisa127]

My first thought was gulf Coast box turtle.

 

[Gillian M]

Adorable! However, I don't know what species he is-sorry.

And a very warm welcome to the forum!

 

[Markw84]

No, I don't think so. I went back and forth between water turtle and box turtle, and I really can't say for sure, but Florida box turtles look like this as hatchlings:

Yvonne, It is definitely a box turtle hatchling. You can tell by the beak for one thing. But, I do think it may very well be the gulf Coast Box as rereading, I see it was found in Panama City. That would be more Gulf Coast territory than Florida Box. The Florida aren't normally found on the panhandle.

 

[Berkeley]

Agreed. It is a Gulf Coast box hatchling.

I am fairly certain that an individual may own two box turtles (total) in Florida, but it is always wise to check. Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to find out for sure.

--Berkeley

 

[AJK Aquaria]

Make every effort to release it close by into a somewhat protected/wild area. Or follow the link above and research a young box turtle's care. There are also quality articles on this site regarding boxies.