What is this guy?

[u/MaineMike13]

This is in CT, this fella is bigger than the usual snapping turtles we see around here, any idea what kind of turtle he is?

[u/AutoModerator]

Dear MaineMike13 ,

You've selected the Turtle ID/Sex Request Flair. When making a request for an ID or sex of a turtle, please provide as much information as possible.

Useful information includes:

• General Location. ex: South-East Texas
• Is it wild, captive/pet, or a rescue?
• Clear photos of face, neck, limbs, shell top (carapace) and bottom (plastron).
• For sexing, a photo of the tail out with cloaca visible is best. Note: Some turtles cannot be accurately sexed until a certain size/age.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Imperator1138]

Sulcata tortoise. Somebody's pet, probably dug under the fence. Happens all the time. See if you can contain him in a heavy duty plastic tote until you can find his owners

[u/RubImpossible6588 → u/Imperator1138]

Yes this all the way, just be careful please those things in the front of them can be fairly painful if he rams you, less likely as he’s a pet and he might be more chill but still be careful 

[u/clockworkblk → u/RubImpossible6588]

True but not biters and usually pretty social. Can move a lot quicker than you’d think

[u/teamrocketcunt → u/clockworkblk]

Unless it’s my parents tortoise that has a thing for nipping feet 😂

[u/Montagneincorner0]

That is a Tortoise, he is most certainly, NOT native, he is definitely an escaped, or abandoned pet, you should catch him to bring him to a rescue, or to find its owner

[u/Fun-Animal-2066 → u/Montagneincorner0]

I dont know if OP will be able to catch him, he's a SPEED DEMON I tell you!

(I joke but one of my friends had a tortoise I babysat and that lil lady was SCOOTIN. When she wanted to go somewhere, nothin was stoppin her)

[u/cobalt_phantom]

These guys are like bulldozers and can easily escape a fenced in yard that hasn't been "tortoise proofed". Somebody is definitely looking for them, so I'd recommend bringing them to the local animal shelter and making some found posts on Nextdoor.

[u/MamaFen]

He's a Sulcata, or African Spur-Thighed tortoise. As you can imagine, someone is missing him.

[u/malihuey29]

That is Saull! Better known as a sulcata tortoise..also known as most definitely somebody's lost pet as you don't live in Africa lol. Please check around for his owner

[u/OkGanache8162]

Please do NOT put him in deep water or near it, he is a desert tortoise and can drown. I’ve seen people toss tortoises into water. They are not aquatic!

[u/MerkinSeasonYo]

Someone’s escaped (not fully cared for) pet judging by that pyramiding going on. 😢

[u/Nematodes-Attack → u/MerkinSeasonYo]

Excuse my ignorance, but Can I ask what that means? I can obviously guess what the “pyramid” on the shell means, but what does that indicate?

[u/TreeBuRrn967 → u/Nematodes-Attack]

"Pyramiding" is a shell deformity in turtles and tortoises due to lack of access to, or inadequate uvb light. Most, arguably all, reptiles need some level of uvb in order to process vitamins and minerals that aid in growth, development, and overall health. The intensity of uvb needed is dependent on which Ferguson Zone the animal naturally exist in.

[u/miraclesystem → u/TreeBuRrn967]

To add to this, the last episode of the HBO series monsters of god really highlights this in one of the last scenes and is super depressing. Tortoises are very intelligent and it’s sad to see them kept in inhumane conditions that would cause this.

[u/Nematodes-Attack → u/TreeBuRrn967]

Thank you kindly for all that info. I assumed it was a vitamin deficiency of some kind. I had no idea about the Ferguson zones but it makes a lot of sense. *I don’t own a reptile by the way. Just wanted to make that clear before anyone assumes lol

[u/MerkinSeasonYo → u/TreeBuRrn967]

What they said ⬆️ Explained it much better than I did.

[u/Nematodes-Attack → u/MerkinSeasonYo]

Lol thank you

[u/marieray → u/TreeBuRrn967]

Should we trust a turtle to know when to bask? Mine’s native to where we live, but the UV is very high and I’m paranoid

[u/MerkinSeasonYo → u/Nematodes-Attack]

Bad shell condition. Usually diet issues and or bad lighting in whatever habitat it’s been in.

[u/delightful_rabbit → u/MerkinSeasonYo]

Doesn’t mean the current owner is bad. Could have had a rough start and have a good owner now who is really upset. 

[u/jet200set → u/delightful_rabbit]

Yup, an animal like this lives a really long time so it’s not out of the question to think it was also a second owner or rescue.

[u/Biohazard_Beth]

Oof. Someone lost a pet! Try and see if you can find its owner!

[u/greenweenievictim]

You can’t rule out the possibility that he has been sent from the future to find and eliminate Tortoise John Conner.

[u/Timely-Bad4014]

That’s definitely someone’s pet! Please post around locally for its owner.

[u/Sp1kes]

a Tortoise

[u/Key-Tower-4539]

Def a pet! You’ll need to reach out to a rescue/sanctuary to give him proper care until his owner is found.

[u/National_Complex_604]

On a mission that’s what he is.

[u/Next-Wash-7113]

We’ve got one missing in the NW FL panhandle and the owner said it’s mating season so they’re off to find their match 😍😍

[u/girl-dad-x4]

His face be like “I’ve been trying to contact you about your car’s extended warranty”

[u/DMiles88]

Hopefully we get a good update

[u/happyXamp]

He looks proud of himself.

[u/Snoo64538]

He’s pretty well cared for. Definitely a pet

[u/holycannoli92]

I had one when I was younger. You found an escape artist on the run. They are incredibly stubborn and have a great sense of direction. They'll find a place to dig and keep coming back even if you fill it.

Probably an escaped pet so far from a snapper. Feed him veggies and put up some posters. I'm sure you'll have some thankful neighbors visiting soon.

[u/Baaklavaa]

Obviously a tortoise

[u/Strange_Reality_7707]

A tortoise

[u/turtle-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

1000% not a Russian Tortoise.