Yes, both are Box Turtles,the lighter one is certainly a boy, and the darker one might be a girl. Sometimes this can cause color variations, but often it is just genetics, sort of like in humans. Sliders (and Cooters, and other water turtles in that family) have much less domed shells, probably for pushing through the water, plus, they can get much larger.

So what should I do with him now.....he can't live in this little pan, it's only about 3 inches deep. Will he survive if I put him in the pond around the corner, it's an old cranberry bog that is pretty big. When do they get aggressive. He did not even try and grab the small reed I put near his mouth to see if he would grab on. How old do you think he is?

Dolly, I have that one. But I'm out of town this weekend. I know, you would think I have better things to do on a weekend away, but I can't stay away from this place. If you will send an email to me at mudpie@thegraphiczone.net, when I get home on Sunday night, I will send it to you. It has already been scanned because someone else asked for turtle patterns last summer.

I can't ID any of them, sorry, but I can tell you those last cacti are planted wayyyyy to deeply inside those pots! Cacti prefer full sun, those poor things can't even see the light they're so low down. The soil needs to be around 1cm below the rim, always. Gill