I need to ID a pet tort I found in Dallas, TX

[gavindr]

This little beauty is 6" long yellow geometric shell, astoundingly fast, rear legs look like miniature elephant legs, (columnar? ok). It's head was sort of pointy ...a beak? I was 7 when I found it. Both the tort and I were helpless and traumatized by the complete lack of adult help at the time. I still cry every time I think of it, which is several times a day now for the past 6 months (Yes, I'm crazy?). Anyway, let's solve Problem #1, What was it? An African Sulcata? That's my guess, but pictures I see vary from "definitely not that", to "Hmm, yeah, maybe so." Chief feature was it's speed. Surprised everyone. Does the color vary a lot, or is this the effect of shell conditioner? Please help. Thank you all so much. ("May tortoises rule planet earth.")

 

[Tom]

Please post some pictures.

 

[Toddrickfl1]

This little beauty is 6" long yellow geometric shell, astoundingly fast, rear legs look like miniature elephant legs, (columnar? ok). It's head was sort of pointy ...a beak? I was 7 when I found it. Both the tort and I were helpless and traumatized by the complete lack of adult help at the time. I still cry every time I think of it, which is several times a day now for the past 6 months (Yes, I'm crazy?). Anyway, let's solve Problem #1, What was it? An African Sulcata? That's my guess, but pictures I see vary from "definitely not that", to "Hmm, yeah, maybe so." Chief feature was it's speed. Surprised everyone. Does the color vary a lot, or is this the effect of shell conditioner? Please help. Thank you all so much. ("May tortoises rule planet earth.")

Most likely a box turtle.

 

[method89]

I mean this in the nicest way possible: Google it.

Since it was so long ago and you can't post pictures, your best would to look at pictures

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

Sounds like a hybrid cheetah elephant, turkey vulture... should have never let this one get away

 

[jaizei]

If it was 49 years ago, and you're sure about the resemblance to a sulcata, maybe Texas Tortoise.

 

[Yvonne G]

I'll bet it was some sort of box turtle. I wonder what you mean by "geometric shell"? There was a design on the shell? Box turtle.