Im really glad you showed me that pic as it indeed explains allot of what your observing with your turtle. Ok first of, this may sound strange, but your turtle its NOT a box turtle, it is a yellow head temple turtle Hieremys annandalli and of the pics that you showed us the first one (wich is indeed a malaysian box turtle Cuora amboinensis) does not correspond to your current turtle. It does not mean that you hadnt have it for so long, it simply means that your family somehow along the way had more then one animal and this is the one that remained in the long run. Also very importatly juvenile temples look VERY similar to malaysian boxys. I hope its not to dissapointing for you, however be aware that am adult yellow head temple is just as interesting as any box turtle. And that explains the melanism on the head and its size, and now that is a normal size for this species. This is also a species that actually in most of its range is more rare then malaysian box turtles because of its larger size makes it more atractive for the market. It you intend to get him a girl friend there is a good chance you could endup with quite a few babys in the long run, they are not commonly bred but very prolific once they start.
As for the guys of the "WWF", I wouldnt trust them for one moment, simply politely tell them that as it turns out your turtle is a common one and that your not interested, bye bye. Humanitarian study? Now thats rich, probably thats a new fancy word for butchering, stay away from that.
As for the guys of the "WWF", I wouldnt trust them for one moment, simply politely tell them that as it turns out your turtle is a common one and that your not interested, bye bye. Humanitarian study? Now thats rich, probably thats a new fancy word for butchering, stay away from that.
