please help with turtle

[bubz420]

please help me to find out what kind of turtle i have. it has orange
dots on its head and legs it is about 6 in. it does not bite. how can
you tell if it is a boy or a girl? my daughters want to name it. the
help from you biology studs is very needed. thanks

[Michael Gibson]

Have you tried any of the resources available on the internet? If you
Google Reptiles of California there are MANY listings... Here's one to
try. (the Department of Fish and Game also have a site)

http://www.werc.usgs.gov/fieldguide/

You might also want to check out the laws around keeping native fauna.
Where we live the simple answer is no, put it back. Some areas even
impose very steep fines for collecting animals. I'd suggest you enjoy
it while it hangs around. Oh yeah, make sure your little one washes her
hands well after touching it!! My 3 are always showing us the latest
creature they've caught in the backyard. It's always fascinating... but
samonella isn't!

Hope this helps,
Michael

Post by bubz420
please help me to find out what kind of turtle i have. it has orange
dots on its head and legs it is about 6 in. it does not bite. how can
you tell if it is a boy or a girl? my daughters want to name it. the
help from you biology studs is very needed. thanks