Found stray in my yard d

[ms4x4grrl]

Hi guys. I found this little fella in my yard. It is only about 3 inches. I have no idea what kind it is.. guessing box turtle of some sort. Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

[Crush da Baum]

Wow he is a cool looking dude. The box turtles I have near my house are never black.

 

[ms4x4grrl]

Yes. It is gorgeous!

 

[2turtletom]

Yep, native eastern box turtle. What a cool visitor to your backyard!

 

[MichaelL]

Eastern Box Turtle. Gorgeous.

 

[ms4x4grrl]

Any ideas of it's age?

 

[ms4x4grrl]

Just a couple of cool pics...?

 

[ms4x4grrl]

Yep, native eastern box turtle. What a cool visitor to your backyard!

I know!!! I felt priveledged!! ?

 

[zovick]

Any ideas of it's age?

From the looks of the shell, I would say maybe 5-8 years old.

 

[ms4x4grrl]

From the looks of the shell, I would say maybe 5-8 years old.

Thanks! She measures 4" long and 3" wide

 

[zovick]

Wow he is a cool looking dude. The box turtles I have near my house are never black.

The black ones are very unusual in my experience. I found one 20 years ago which was entirely black (the whole shell and all of the skin) in a strawberry field on the Eastern Shore of VA near the road to Chincoteague. I just observed it and let it go, but it was VERY tempting to keep it and try to breed more like it.

 

[zovick]

Thanks! She measures 4" long and 3" wide

That seems about the right size for a wild 4 to 6 year old Box Turtle.

 

[ms4x4grrl]

The black ones are very unusual in my experience. I found one 20 years ago which was entirely black (the whole shell and all of the skin) in a strawberry field on the Eastern Shore of VA near the road to Chincoteague. I just observed it and let it go, but it was VERY tempting to keep it and try to breed more like it.

I am in Blacksburg Virginia. I want to keep it but I know better! Lol.