How can you tell if a box turtle is a male or female?
In general, here are characteristics to look for when trying to tell the sex of box turtles: Males are often bigger than females of the same species. Males are usually more colorful than the females, especially the Eastern subspecies.
How can I tell if my box turtle is sick?
Gastrointestinal parasites, such as roundworms, are common in pet turtles. In many cases, parasitic infections do not cause any clinical signs; they are detected on a routine fecal examination. With severe infection, parasites may cause diarrhea or weight loss and may require treatment. How can I tell if my turtle is sick?
What kind of disease does a box turtle have?
Symptoms include a lack of appetite, lethargy, swelling of the eyelids (often with a pus-like discharge), swelling of the ear (due to the formation of an ear abscess), kidney failure, and respiratory infections. “In turtles, most respiratory infections are caused by bacteria and are often secondary to vitamin A deficiency.”
Why does my box turtle have white spots on its shell?
Bacterial infections cause a wet rot and fungal infections cause a white rot. Most cases of shell rot occur in aquatic species but land species of box turtles and tortoises can also get it. The signs of wet rot include: a spotted discolored shell that is soft which may or not smell rotten.
How can you tell if a box turtle is male or female?
Look for species-specific clues. Some species of turtles have gender-specific external features. Some species that may reveal gender through coloring are: The American box turtle: 90 percent of the time, male box turtles have red or orange irises while the female has brown or yellow ones.
Bacterial infections cause a wet rot and fungal infections cause a white rot. Most cases of shell rot occur in aquatic species but land species of box turtles and tortoises can also get it. The signs of wet rot include: a spotted discolored shell that is soft which may or not smell rotten.
Why does my turtle have a lump on the side of its head?
If you notice lumps, bumps or swelling under the skin of a turtle, it might be a sign of an abscess. These can occur pretty much anywhere on a turtle. Turtles are susceptible to middle ear infections which can result in an aural abscess that can be seen on the side of their heads.
How can you tell if a tortoise is male or female?
Yes, most of the general gender differences described in this guide apply to tortoises as well. This includes the size differences, curve of the plastron, and tail length; however, tortoise tail notches can be subtly different such that the male has a more “V” shaped notch, whilst the female’s is “U” shaped. Thanks! How old can turtles get?
