Help with breed identification!

[ampuckett]

Hello all! First time posting and have something I DESPERATELY need help with! We (I teach in a public high school and run a vet assisting program for students) recently came into ownership of two guys (I think) that we need some help identifying! I have a hunch that one is a Greek but I'm so new to this that I'm not sure! I have researched for HOURS! ANY help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[TaylorTortoise]

Hello all! First time posting and have something I DESPERATELY need help with! We (I teach in a public high school and run a vet assisting program for students) recently came into ownership of two guys (I think) that we need some help identifying! I have a hunch that one is a Greek but I'm so new to this that I'm not sure! I have researched for HOURS! ANY help will be greatly appreciated!

You got yourself a Russian tortoise, and a Box turtle.

 

[TaylorTortoise]

That Russian tortoise is going to need some nail trimming. His back nails are extremely long,

 

[Markw84]

The three-toed box turtle also really needs a beak and nail trim.

 

[Maggie3fan]

You said..." (I teach in a public high school and run a vet assisting program for students)". So you teach about animals but you don't know what "species",? dogs come in breeds not tortoises.
Here's 2 care sheets for you to read, also you will need to have 2 enclosures, you cannot keep them together. Both species are cool to have, the Russian looks a little rough, but possibly you can do good by him...

Russian tortoises

tortoiseforum.org

Box turtles are super fun, and kept correctly they can be a lot of fun and personal interaction.
Here's a care sheet for your box turtle. Understand 3-toed box turtles require about the same as Easterns pretty much...

American box turtles

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Maggie3fan]

You said..." (I teach in a public high school and run a vet assisting program for students)". So you teach about animals but you don't know what "species",? dogs come in breeds not tortoises.
Here's 2 care sheets for you to read, also you will need to have 2 enclosures, you cannot keep them together. Both species are cool to have, the Russian looks a little rough, but possibly you can do good by him...

Russian tortoises

tortoiseforum.org

Box turtles are super fun, and kept correctly they can be a lot of fun and personal interaction.
Here's a care sheet for your box turtle. Understand 3-toed box turtles require about the same as Easterns pretty much...

American box turtles

tortoiseforum.org

 

[ampuckett]

Thank you all so much! Both of these guys were just surrendered this week so we are still working on some trust issues with both of them. The box turtle has been handed down through several owners who didn't know how or didn't take the time to care for them properly. His nails are EXTREMELY long. He definitely needs some TLC. He's only started to come out some today. We're getting there!

 

[Maggie3fan]

Thank you all so much! Both of these guys were just surrendered this week so we are still working on some trust issues with both of them. The box turtle has been handed down through several owners who didn't know how or didn't take the time to care for them properly. His nails are EXTREMELY long. He definitely needs some TLC. He's only started to come out some today. We're getting there!

Box turtles are kept in a different way than Russians. 3 -toed box turtles love water and will soak and play and swim. So make his habitat semi aquatic. This is Ginger, she loves to swim. This was last summer, she swims out to the fence board and the basks and swims all day

these guys love being outside...

 

[Maggie3fan]

Just a word of caution...people are quick to point out long rear claws. But don't do any trimming on them until you know for sure what sex it is. Females dig nests so long nails are necessary.