Adult Box Turtle Developing Bright Spots on Head

[shumster]

My box turtle who I had for 20+ years recently developed some bright orange spots on her head. They appear to be symmetrical. Is this normal for a box turtle during their lifetime? Could it be a seasonal thing? She lives outdoors in a shaded enclosure, eating mostly worms and occasionally fruit and sweet potatoes. Thanks in advance for any insight!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Victoria:

Its quite normal for drab little baby box turtles to grow up into beautifully colored creatures. But how on earth can you post such a thread and not include a picture? That's pretty darned nervy of you!!

---

Holy cow! I just re-read your post and realize you said your turtle is 20 years old or more. This is a bit unusual. They usually gain their color quite young. But since you said its symmetrical, I can only assume its ok. But now, all kidding aside, I'd really like to see a picture of it.

 

[Tccarolina]

Sounds like leprosy, we need pictures! ! !

 

[yagyujubei]

Slime mold is bright orange, better post a pic - just to be sure.

 

[shumster]

I looked back at some of the older photos I had of Patricia. I noticed that she had hints of the spots in the question about six months ago, but now they're really bright orange compared to back then. Let me know what you guys think! She had always been a pretty monotone turtle throughout her life so her new colors are throwing me for a loop.

 

[yagyujubei]

Nice, OK now here's the important question. What have you been doing differently with her in the last year? New foods? More sun? Less sun? Supplements? Marigolds? Red peppers? More worms? She looks very nice.

 

[shumster]

I don't think so - if anything, perhaps I've gut-loaded the european earthworms with some new vegetables like beet greens? I'm doubtful that would do it though. As far as sun exposure goes, she's in the shade and doesn't have direct sunlight during the summer (too risky with our ridiculously hot summers). I did put her back into a combined enclosure with a male turtle friend that I had separated for awhile but they seem to get along fine again. Perhaps she's blushing??

 

[Yvonne G]

Are you sure Patricia isn't Patrick?

 

[shumster]

Patricia has laid her fair share of eggs over the years so I'm pretty positive about her sex ;o)

~Victoria

 

[Tccarolina]

Is the picture the new one?

 

[Saloli]

The beat greens have carotenoids which are needed to make the orange and red pigments. These pigments are photosensitive so they need to be replaced Though you may want to lookin the pen see if you see any plants of the carrot family many are edible to boxers and are high in carotenoids.

 

[shumster]

Is the picture the new one?

Yes - those are her new orange spots in the photo. Before this, she had just been a plain, brown box turtle with a few yellow markings.

 

[shumster]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll keep my eye out. It sounds overall that whatever is going on isn't harmful - so long as she's a happy turtle, so am I!

~Victoria