Bemep
Box Turtles in Love
Box Turtles are some of the longest lived and slowest reproducing species in the world. When a box turtle first hatches from its egg it is a mere 1.25 inches long. Little is known about the lives of young box turtles because they are so secretive and hard to find. In fact, it is very rare to find a box turtle much smaller than about 3.5 or 4 inches long. It is thought that these young turtles spend most of their time concealed in brush and leaf litter and feed primarily on insects. Box turtles generally grow slowly, reaching sexual maturity at between 7 and 10 years old and 5 or 6 inches in length. Once mature, a female box turtle will lay between 3 and 6 eggs each spring in a shallow nest. The eggs are left unguarded and hatch in the late summer or early fall when hatching occurs. Box turtles commonly reach 25-30 years of age and there are well-documented cases of them living to 40 or even 50 years.
From:
www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/research/Contribute/box turtle/boxinfo.htm
Turtle age can be estimated in younger turtles by counting the growth rings on the carapace. This method of age determination is only useful until about 10-15 years of age. As box turtles mature, growth rings wear down and become indistinguishable.
The male on this picture is 15 years old.
Box Turtles in Love
Box Turtles are some of the longest lived and slowest reproducing species in the world. When a box turtle first hatches from its egg it is a mere 1.25 inches long. Little is known about the lives of young box turtles because they are so secretive and hard to find. In fact, it is very rare to find a box turtle much smaller than about 3.5 or 4 inches long. It is thought that these young turtles spend most of their time concealed in brush and leaf litter and feed primarily on insects. Box turtles generally grow slowly, reaching sexual maturity at between 7 and 10 years old and 5 or 6 inches in length. Once mature, a female box turtle will lay between 3 and 6 eggs each spring in a shallow nest. The eggs are left unguarded and hatch in the late summer or early fall when hatching occurs. Box turtles commonly reach 25-30 years of age and there are well-documented cases of them living to 40 or even 50 years.
From:
www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/research/Contribute/box turtle/boxinfo.htm
Turtle age can be estimated in younger turtles by counting the growth rings on the carapace. This method of age determination is only useful until about 10-15 years of age. As box turtles mature, growth rings wear down and become indistinguishable.
The male on this picture is 15 years old.