Turtles

[user 14220]

Do turtles migrate? Up till this week I have never seen a turtle around our property. This week between the wife and I we seen five, all on our driveway or the road in front of our place. We picked them off the road and carried them to the creek so they would be safe.
Pretty sure they were all "box" turtles, shells averaged 10-12 inches long from front to rear.

 

[Biggun4214]

I've never saw a box turtle that size. Box turtles are not aquatic. That big are probably snapping turtles. Males travel from water to water to breed. Females travel to lay down eggs.

 

[user 14220]

If I see any more will take and post some photos. Shells had nice designs on them, don't think they were snappers but I am a turtle novice.

 

[Biggun4214]

They could have been sliders or map turtles as well. Box turtles have a domed shell and are usually only about 5-7 inches max.

 

[user 14220]

Found another. Still interested to know why we never seen one before and now they are all over the place.

 

[MUP]

Box turtle I believe.

 

[shane37110]

Box Turtle. Lint to TWRA turtle guide,http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/...name=Reptile&Taxonomicgroup=Reptile - Turtles

There's some on there I've never seen in the wild. And yes those things are wanderers. Easy to do when your home is on your back.

 

[SKFOOTER]

If those Box Turtles are 10-12 inches long, they must be on steroids.

 

[shane37110]

If those Box Turtles are 10-12 inches long, they must be on steroids.

Probably using the free tape measure from Harbor Freight :lol:

 

[user 14220]

I can stretch out my hand to cover a nine inch area and at least one of the turtles was longer. If we find anymore I will put a tape measure beside them for the photo.

 

[Biggun4214]

Box turtles don't do too well in a creek. There may be some construction or something changing their habitat causing them to move. They seem to move on wet, rainy days later in the summer/early fall.

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

Box turtles don't do too well in a creek. There may be some construction or something changing their habitat causing them to move. They seem to move on wet, rainy days later in the summer/early fall.

They are laying eggs right now so they may be hunting suitable nest sites. We had one yesterday laying eggs I'm the corner post dirt to the cabin we are building

 

[Matador]

Any one ever see a baby box turtle that had just hatched out? I have not.

 

[Mike Belt]

I've seen a couple of small ones but nothing like newly hatched turtles. They must hide pretty good until they get some size on them.