This Three-toed Box Turtle was observed near Old Alton Bridge in Denton County. He was making his way along one of the park’s soft surface trails when I found him.
Wikipedia reports this about Three-toed Box turtles:
From the west to the east of its range, the three-toed box turtle can be found from eastern Texas the northern edge of the Florida Panhandle. Its northernmost habitat is in Missouri and Kansas, while the southernmost is in Louisiana. Three-toeds interbreed with other subspecies of eastern box turtles which overlap the borders of this area. An example of this occurs in the eastern Mississippi valley where this species is difficult to distinguish from the common box turtle. Being popular in the pet trade, three-toeds are sometimes found well outside of their home range. It is not known whether such captives when released into the wild have any impact on the local species of such areas. These turtles are adaptive, and are possibly the only box turtle who can live happily in an indoor enclosure.
I have two very sweet 3 toed box turtles. I bring them in in very hot or in bad weather. I hibernate them, and they are doing just fine. My husband and I are in our 70’s. They make a nice quiet pet, like to hand fed, and we both love ours. They are about 4 years old,a brother and sister, kept in separate pen areas, as the male is aggressive to the female. I want to post pics, but am going to need family to show me how. I’ve had a total of 4 over the years. I had to learn as I went, but I did get books on them. they are such escape artists.
Box Turtles are special animals, there is no doubt. If you would like to post pictures, I would suggest using our new Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/726012804182335/
I know everyone there would love to see them!
-Chris
My box turtle got out of her home and I need help on where all I should look for her