New tortoise caregiver, Need help identifying

[sassysuzeee]

My friend just brought me a tortoise she found. I could use shone help identifying so i can look up care instructions, etc... Any thoughts? Any help appreciated! Thanks!​

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Each species needs different care, you need to post a picture...
In Calif, it 'could' be a desert tortoise, an endangered species. First you need to try and find the owner. but we do need a pix to help...

 

[sassysuzeee]

Each species needs different care, you need to post a picture...
In Calif, it 'could' be a desert tortoise, an endangered species. First you need to try and find the owner. but we do need a pix to help...

 

[sassysuzeee]

Duh, lol, I guess that would help. Just uploaded them! Thanks!

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Looks like a big 3-toed box turtle to me...but the yellow spots on it's front legs throw me...and I have box turtles. I have decided I am going to stop embarrassing myself in public by misidentifying species...Somebody better then me will correct me soon...in the mean time welcome. Seriously tho, try and find it's owner before you decide to keep it. It's Spring, and they are all running away from home looking for a mate...

 

[sassysuzeee]

Duh, lol, I guess that would help. Just afforded them! Thanks!

The flash made his shell look very yellow, but it is more green.

 

[sassysuzeee]

Thanks, i wilUOTE="maggie3fan, post: 863195, member: 1445"]Looks like a big 3-toed box turtle to me...but the yellow spots on it's front legs throw me...and I have box turtles. I have decided I am going to stop embarrassing myself in public by misidentifying species...Somebody better then me will correct me soon...in the mean time welcome. Seriously tho, try and find it's owner before you decide to keep it. It's Spring, and they are all running away from home looking for a mate...[/QUOTE]
will be

 

[sassysuzeee]

Thanks, i wilUOTE="maggie3fan, post: 863195, member: 1445"]Looks like a big 3-toed box turtle to me...but the yellow spots on it's front legs throw me...and I have box turtles. I have decided I am going to stop embarrassing myself in public by misidentifying species...Somebody better then me will correct me soon...in the mean time welcome. Seriously tho, try and find it's owner before you decide to keep it. It's Spring, and they are all running away from home looking for a mate...

will be

Thanks, appreciate your reply! Will be looking for owner!

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I surprised no one has answered you yet...Maybe it's a Gulf Coast box turtle...

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Looks like some kind of box turtle. Show us the plastron, please. Hinge is an indicator.

Where was it found? This is important to see if it's native ... And maybe can be released again ... Or maybe must be kept.

 

[sassysuzeee]

Looks like some kind of box turtle. Show us the plastron, please. Hinge is an indicator.

Where was it found? This is important to see if it's native ... And maybe can be released again ... Or maybe must be kept.

 

[sassysuzeee]

Looks like some kind of box turtle. Show us the plastron, please. Hinge is an indicator.

Where was it found? This is important to see if it's native ... And maybe can be released again ... Or maybe must be kept.

It was found in a condo complex in azusa, CA. I am pretty certain it is a pet, going to put up flyers.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

In the meantime try strawberries, cantaloupe, and other soft very ripe fruit. A substrate like a Forrest floor, slightly damp loam.

 

[Yvonne G]

That's a 3-toe box turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis), and they're not native to California. You can tell by how long the back toe nails are that this is an escaped pet.

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[shellfreak]

Due to its orange spots on front legs it looks like a very old eastern box turtle. Huge one I might add. The shell has lost a lot of its coloring due to old age or lack of proper care. Looks like it needs a nice warm soak. Put it in a large tub with the food already recommended above by other members. Make a little hide for it put of a shoe box for now. So it feels safe at night. If you don't find it's owner, you will need a better set up for long term care.

 

[Yvonne G]

No, sorry, not an eastern. No matter how old the easterns get they never turn light bone color. That's a 3-toe. (so called because of the three toes on the back feet)

 

[shellfreak]

Good call. That makes more sense.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Great God Almighty! I finally got one right...(jumping up and down) Thanks Yvonne, I'll send that twenty bucks to you...

 

[Maggie Cummings]

It was found in a condo complex in azusa, CA. I am pretty certain it is a pet, going to put up flyers.

But don't describe the animal, just put "found, 3 toed box turtle". That way the real keeper can then describe it to you. Otherwise some creep will try to claim it.

 

[sassysuzeee]

Thank you, everyone!