How to Tell the Age of a Land Box Turtle

Land box turtles are unique from other turtles, in that they're terrestrial inhabitants. These turtles make interesting and low-maintenance pets. There are several different varieties of land box turtles existing around the world. The lifespan of these omnivorous turtles ranges from 32 years to up to 70 years. By observing the physical patterns on its shell, you can determine the approximate age of a land box turtle.

  1. Unique Features

    • Land box turtles have unwebbed feet and range from four to seven inches in length. These turtles derive their name from the fact that their bottom shell or plastron is equipped with a hinge. When the turtle wants to retract into its shell, it draws the bottom shell close in against the inside edge of the high-dome upper shell or carpace. The reptile then pulls its head, tail and limbs inside the shell, such that it resembles a box.

    Young Turtles

    • You can ascertain the age of the land box turtle by counting the number of rings on the exterior of the bottom shell. For instance, a seven-year-old land box turtle will have seven layers of lamina on its plastron. Land box turtles gain a new layer of lamina or growth ring every year, but the method of using the rings to determine age is only valid only until they reach 10 years old. After this, the growth rings wear down and become indistinguishable, as the box turtles mature, making age identification difficult and inaccurate.

    Older Turtles

    • Older turtles don't have any visible growth rings on their plastron. The carapace and peripheral bone of an older turtle will appear damaged, rough and worn out. The outer shell of older turtles wear out as a result of friction with the soil and other objects they brush their body against. You must maintain discretion while making this assumption, as exceptionally active turtles can also have their carpace and plastron damaged well before they're really old.

    Threats

    • Land box turtles are slow-growing reptiles with a long lifespan, delayed sexual maturity and low reproductive capacities, all of which make them vulnerable to decline. Additionally, loss of natural habitat due to human encroachment and growing demand for land box turtles from the pet trade has had a negative impact on the local populations of this breed of turtles.