A captured box turtle, Terrapene carolina, was found to have a large swelling on the neck, the result of a massive, mixed bacterial infection of Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Proteus morganii, Proteus rettgeri, and a non-pigmented strain of Pseudomonas. A well-defined caseous mass between the superficial and deep cervical muscles was surrounded by purulent material. An eroded squamosal bone allowed purulent material to gain access to the pharynx. The skull was markedly asymmetrical, due primarily to left squamosal enlargement. Initial entry of the pathogens via pharyngeal trauma is suggested.