Box Turtle - Keeled

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Vietnamese Box Turtle, Jagged Shell Box Turtle, Sawback Box Turtle, Thorn Turtle Scientific Name: Pyxidea mouhotti

Basic Info

Rarely exceeding seven inches in length, the Keeled Box Turtle is a small animal. Unlike some other Asian turtles, they are not particularly colorful. They are usually brown in color and range in shade from light tan to dark brown or mahogany. The scutes often have a dark brown smudge. The Keeled Box Turtle derives its name from the three keels, or ridges, on its shell. One of their other names, Jagged Box Turtle, comes from the serrated edge at the rear of the carapace. Keeled Box Turtles, like other Box Turtles, have a hinge on the plastron, which enables it to close its shell completely when threatened. Juvenile Keeled Box Turtles are flat, and the adults have a domed carapace.

Health

The Keeled Box Turtle does well in an enclosure with plenty of plants, a basking area of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and a shallow pool for soaking. The substrate can be moss, bark, or leaf litter. The humidity within the enclosure should be kept between 75 and 95 percent and the ambient temperature should never fall below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The Keeled Box Turtle does best with a varied diet including fruits, vegetable, and the occasional cricket or waxworm.

Habitat

Found in Vietnam, Burma and Northern Thailand. They also live on the Hainan Island in China

Behavior

The Keeled Box Turtle is a moderately sized turtle that can be found in Asia. It is also known as the Vietnamese Box Turtle or Jagged Shell Box Turtle. They are fairly common and easy to care for in captivity. A terrestrial animal, the Keeled Box Turtle can usually be found on the ground in forests or on mountains. They are active animals and with proper care can be quite docile.

Origin

Eastern Asia

History

The Keeled Box Turtle can be found in Vietnam, Burma and Northern Thailand. They also live on the Hainan Island in China.

Common Foods

In the wild, they are omnivorous, feeding on both plant and animal matter. They usually eat plants and especially enjoy wild fruits that have fallen from trees. They also feed on snails, worms and other small animals including newborn mice.