What kind of turtle do I have??

Question
Hi Thia! I found a turlte in my drive way one morning at about 0630hrs (elp/tx time) if that matters in early september. I have pictures if they will help. I dont know the sex or type of turlte. Its shell is about 5in long and with its head and tail its about 6-7in long. Its shell is dark brown with yellow strips and its skin is dark green with yellow spots but its head is light green. The bottom is brown and yellow throughout. I think it has three little ridges running lenghtwise down its top shell. eyes are red. front feet have little claws and no web and back feet are the same. has a short skinny tail.

Answer
Hi Nathan, You have given me a very good description of a box turtle. From your location (thank you for including that!) it would likely be one of the western ones, specifically the Desert box turtle (Terrapene ornata luteola). It sounds like you have a male. They have a greenish head and red eyes. If you haven't already, I would really encourage you to release him, wild adult box turtles do no adjust to captivity very well.

http://animal-world.com/encyclo/reptiles/turtles/OrnateBoxTurtle.php

http://www.ben.edu/museum/westernornateboxturtle.asp