What is this?

[Carrie Routt]

This little guy is going to be headed to me soon. I was told that s/he is a box turtle/Russian tortoise hybrid. Is this right or even possible?

 

[cmacusa3]

Looks like an ornate box turtle to me

 

[Carrie Routt]

That's what I was thinking. But from what I understand, there was only 1 female and no male ornate box turtles in the home this little guy is coming from. I am pretty sure all the species were mixed in one big indoor enclosure and many random eggs all the time. Maybe they have a male box turtle and don't realize it.

 

[Yvonne G]

Box turtles and russian tortoises don't hybridize. That is an ornata/ three toe cross.

 

[Carrie Routt]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking!

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Females can store sperm for years. It's also not uncommon to have been mistaken about an immature male after years of being certain it is female.

 

[Dean Wirth]

Box turtles and Tortoises can't hybridize, that would be like a dog and a cat having a litter, and yes box turtles can store sperm up to 5 years.. Nice looking ornate box turtle, congratulations!

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Box turtles and Tortoises can't hybridize, that would be like a dog and a cat having a litter

Dean, I found this on the Internet Machine so it must be true...

 

[Dean Wirth]

Good one Cowboy Ken