Just recently I got my first Box Turtle baby turtle, and at the moment he has a shell that is nearly 2 inches long. I know that Box turtles will get bigger than that, But what I don’t know is how fast they will grow. So I decided to do some research on the growth rate of Box Turtle, here is what I found out.
Box Turtles grow around 1 inch during their first years, as they reach adulthood they will only grow around 0.5 inches per year until they reach their full size. Males usually reach sizes between 4 and 5 inches, while females are between 5 and 6 inches.
If your Box turtle is not a baby anymore you can expect it to grow around 0.5 inches per year, but as I said this number doesn’t necessarily apply to all Box turtles, and it’s drastically influenced by a lot of factors. So let’s take a closer look at those factors and see how they influence the growth rate.
How the Diet Influences the Growth Rate of a Box Turtle
The diet is probably the biggest factor that influences the growth rate. Without a proper diet, no turtle can reach its maximum growth rate.
If you want to help your turtle have a healthy growth rate, then you should make sure that it has a proper and balanced diet. Box turtles are omnivorous, which means that they will have fruits, vegetables, and meat. Since they are able to eat a big variety of food, ensuring that their diet is balanced shouldn’t be that hard. In general, a proper Box turtle diet should contain the following:
- Meat
- Fish
- Pellets
- Insects
- Worms
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Aquatic plants
There are a lot of things on the list, especially with the wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and pellets that are out there. But this should also help you since there are a lot to choose from.
The most important thing that turtles take from food that influences their growth is protein. This doesn’t mean that the rest are not important, it just means that they don’t play such a big factor in the growth of a turtle. Protein is the main thing that helps turtles grow and develop a healthy shell.
But be careful, feeding too much protein to your turtle can also cause problems. If a turtle eats too much protein it will start developing a disease called pyramiding. A turtle that suffers from pyramiding will start developing deformations on its shell that bear a resemblance to small pyramids, hence the name. But this is something that doesn’t happen if you give your turtle a balanced diet that contains a healthy mix of fruits and vegetables with protein sources.
Something else that contributes to the growth of the turtle is calcium. A good and natural way to give your turtle calcium is through vegetables, usually, vegetables that are green and have left are a good source of calcium, just make sure that they don’t contain too many oxalates. Oxalates are substances that will intervene in the calcium absorption process, and that is not something that you want. A couple of vegetables that you should stay away from are spinach, even if it contains a good amount of calcium it contains too many oxalates, and iceberg salad, which has little to no nutritional value.
One important thing that you have to keep in mind is that young Box turtles, usually, those under 2 years, will rarely eat something else besides meat. Even if they are omnivorous as adults, baby Box turtles tend to be carnivorous. So don’t worry if your baby Box turtle refuses to eat fruits or vegetables. This is something that also happens with other turtle species as well.
To find out how many proteins or calcium a food has, simply google the name of the food and the answer should appear immediately. After doing this a couple of times, I personally started to learn them, and I am sure the same thing will happen to you. And soon you will have a general idea of what you should give your turtle to eat, and what you should not.
Now let’s move to the next influential factor, the basking area.
How Basking Influences the Growth Rate of a Box Turtle
When turtles bask they are doing two important things. First, they regulate their body temperature, and second, they get exposed to UVB rays.
UVB light plays a vital role in the production of Vitamin D3 which is essential for the calcium in the body. Without UVB light the turtles won’t be able to get the proper amount of calcium which can lead to improper bone growth, metabolic bone disease, softshell, shell rot, and many other bad things.
So without UVB light turtles wouldn’t be able to properly use the calcium that they store in their body, so they won’t be able to grow at their full capacity. If you want your turtle to reach its maximum growth rate then you should make sure that it has a proper basking area.
If you want more details about how to properly light and heat a basking area, check out this guide: Guide for Lighting and Heating a Turtle Tank and Basking Area. In this guide, you will find all the information you need to make the basking area of your turtle as pleasant and efficient as possible.
Now let’s move to the next factor.
How the Age Influences the Growth Rate of a Box Turtle
As I mentioned in the beginning of the article you can expect your Box turtle to grow anywhere from 2 to 3 inches in its first year. In general, most Box turtles will reach the size of 4 inches during their first year.
After they reach that size their growth rate will drop considerably, and they will only grow about one inch for the next few years. But as they get older, and they approach their maximum sizes, their growth rate will drop even more.
Most male Box turtles will reach sizes between 5 and 6 inches, and most females will reach sizes between 5 and 7 inches. So if you have a male Box turtle that is 4 inches right now, you can expect him to grow only half an inch per year from now on, or not to grow at all.
There is not too much to increase the maximum length they will reach besides taking good care of them. The rest is determined by genetics.
Until now I told you about things that you can do to help your pet Box turtle have a healthy growth rate, but let’s also take a look at the growth rate of wild Box turtles, because things are a little different there.
The Growth Rate of Wild Box Turtles
Wild Box turtles are biologically speaking the same as pet Box turtles, but the environment that they live in is completely different, and there will also be a new factor that drastically influences their growth rate.
When it comes to food, wild turtles definitely have it tougher than pet turtles. Unlike pet turtles that are fed every day by their owners, wild turtles have to hunt and scavenge every day for food. And naturally, they won’t be able to have the same healthy and balanced diet as pet turtles, so their growth rate will suffer because of this.
When it comes to basking, wild turtles don’t have it that bad. They always have access to the sun, which is actually better at delivering UVB rays than most UVB bulbs. So basically there is no downside for the wild turtles when it comes to basking.
Age and genetics are the same for both of them so no difference here.
The biggest difference comes from this new factor, the weather. Pet turtles don’t have to face the changing weather from outside, since they are always in a home, where the temperature is more or less constant. But wild turtles have to deal with the weather and this means that they have to face the winter outside.
During the winter Box turtles hibernate, which means that they will usually be inactive for 3 to 5 months per year. During the time that they hibernate, turtles don’t grow at all. So instead of having 12 months per year at their disposal to grow, they only have 9 or even less, depending on the weather.
Hibernation is a little more complicated than that, if you are interested in this subject, I’ve already discussed it in more detail in this article: Do Turtles Hibernate?
Common Questions
Are female turtles always bigger than male turtles? Not always, but for most turtle species that is the case.
Should I be worried if my turtle grows too slow? As long as you feed your turtle, and you provide it with a basking area, and good living conditions in general, you shouldn’t worry. Every turtle is different and some of them will grow slower than others.
Can I make my turtle grow faster? Besides taking proper care of your turtle there is nothing else that you can do. You just have to wait for your turtle to grow.
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my babybox turtles shell is “Flipping” up on the edges and on his bottom it is not flat. I don”t know what to do for him, can you help advise me Thanks.
The condition you’re describing with the edges of your baby box turtle’s shell lifting or “flipping” up, and the shell not being flat, can be indicative of shell deformities or pyramiding, which is a condition where the scutes (the individual shell plates) develop raised, pyramid-like growth. This issue can be caused by various factors, including improper diet, habitat conditions, and inadequate exposure to UVB light. Here’s what you can do:
Diet: Ensure your baby box turtle is receiving a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods. Young box turtles need a mix of protein (insects, worms) and leafy greens. Avoid feeding high-protein or high-fat foods excessively, as they can contribute to shell deformities.
Calcium and Supplements: Ensure your turtle’s diet is properly supplemented with calcium. Dusting food items with calcium powder can help prevent shell deformities.
Habitat: Make sure the turtle’s enclosure is appropriately set up. It should provide a basking area with a heat source and UVB lighting. Adequate exposure to UVB light is essential for the turtle’s health and the proper development of its shell.
Water: Ensure your turtle has access to clean, dechlorinated water for drinking and soaking. Dehydration can contribute to shell problems.
Vet Check: It’s advisable to have your turtle examined by a veterinarian experienced in reptile care. They can assess the severity of the shell condition and provide guidance for treatment and care.
Handling: Minimize handling your turtle to reduce stress, as excessive stress can contribute to health issues.
In some cases, shell deformities may not be reversible, but with proper care and attention to diet and habitat, you can help ensure that your turtle remains healthy and that the condition doesn’t worsen. Consulting with a reptile veterinarian is an important step to determine the best course of action for your baby box turtle’s specific condition.
I save turtles and relocate them since the houses the area being built are taking away their homes, one turtle I rescued, we did not know layed an egg and later after it was released in a safer place we found 1 hatchling, I have light and heat for it and clean dirt from the pet store, I feed it meal and wax worms dipped in calcium and I mist it’s 10 gal. tank, I also keep dried worms and fruit from the pet store in its feeding bowl. Is there anything I am not doing or anything I am not doing right. Also do I feed it fresh worms everyday because I did this with some rescue turtles one time and they plumped up to much and I had to feed them less. But this one is about 2 months old.
It’s commendable that you’re rescuing and caring for hatchling turtles. However, there are a few adjustments and considerations to ensure the best care for your turtle:
Enclosure Size: A 10-gallon tank may become too small as the turtle grows. Hatchlings can quickly outgrow their initial enclosures. It’s a good idea to plan for a larger tank as the turtle gets bigger to provide adequate space for swimming and growth.
Substrate: Using clean soil is a suitable substrate for your turtle. Make sure it’s free from pesticides or chemicals. Ensure it’s kept damp but not overly wet, as hatchling turtles benefit from both a water and land area within their enclosure.
Diet: The diet you’re providing is appropriate, including mealworms, waxworms, and calcium. However, it’s essential to include a variety of foods to ensure a balanced diet. Try offering small aquatic invertebrates, such as small aquatic snails or daphnia, in addition to the mealworms and waxworms. A more varied diet is beneficial for the turtle’s overall health.
Feeding Frequency: For a 2-month-old hatchling, daily feeding is suitable, but make sure the portion sizes are appropriate. Adjust the quantity based on the turtle’s age and size. You can gradually reduce the frequency and increase the variety of foods as the turtle grows.
Temperature and Lighting: Ensure you have appropriate heating and lighting for the turtle, including a basking area with a heat source. A basking spot is essential for maintaining the turtle’s health and metabolism.
Hydration: It’s good that you’re misting the enclosure, but also provide a water source for drinking and soaking. Turtles absorb water through their skin, so both drinking and soaking are important for hydration.
As your turtle continues to grow, keep an eye on its behavior and health, and adjust its care as needed. Additionally, it’s advisable to consult with a veterinarian who specializes in reptile care for guidance and health check-ups, especially if you plan to keep the turtle long-term.