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How much weight can a box turtle's shell support? I know that the answer to this question relies on a lot of factors such as the age and health of the turtle (among other factors). I started pondering this question when I was trying to find my hibernating EBT Daisy in her enclosure (so I can put a marker there should our yard flood and I need to find her). I checked the perimeter from the outside of the enclosure with no luck and I'm worried about setting foot in there because of the chance of stepping on her. Also, I put A LOT of substrate in her enclosure since she originally went under and I worry about the weight of the soil on her shell.

Thanks for any replies. I know there is no specific answer but I was wondering if anyone else was curious about this.
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1.0.0 Jack Russel Terrier: Skipper
0.1.0 Miniature Pinscher: Bambi
1.1.1 Eastern Box Turtles: Daisy, Dozer, and Magnum
0.1.0 Red Eared Slider: Rosie
0.2.0 Rats: Clementine and Elsie
0.0.2 Rainbow Cichlids

>>How much weight can a box turtle's shell support? I know that the answer to this question relies on a lot of factors such as the age and health of the turtle (among other factors).

I can't answer that but I've seen them stepped on by dogs & nothing happens, stepped on by horses they get broken.
I remember several years ago on another forum a woman from NM posted that she had a new box turtle she'd just gotten because the turtle had been baled up in a round bale of hay that came from KS. When the owners of the hay opened the bale out fell this box turtle who was still alive.
I don't know how much pressure there is in a bound up bale of hay but I'd think quite a bit.. so that turtle had been in there for several days to weeks, then shipped from one state to another.. and survived. I thought that was truly an amazing story.
That doesn't answer your question but wondering about how much pressure is in a bale when you are bound up in the middle of it could give you more to think about...
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PHRatz

Haha... well at least now I have more to ponder when it's slow at work. I wasn't really looking for an answer, moreso hoping that people would share experiences like the one you mentioned. Thanks for being my lone replier thus far!

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1.0.0 Jack Russel Terrier: Skipper
0.1.0 Miniature Pinscher: Bambi
1.1.1 Eastern Box Turtles: Daisy, Dozer, and Magnum
0.1.0 Red Eared Slider: Rosie
0.2.0 Rats: Clementine and Elsie
0.0.2 Rainbow Cichlids

>>Haha... well at least now I have more to ponder when it's slow at work. I wasn't really looking for an answer, moreso hoping that people would share experiences like the one you mentioned. Thanks for being my lone replier thus far!

Oh good so it wasn't a totally worthless bit of typing on my part LOL!!
Glad to know it wasn't.. I tell stories like that because I like to hear the same type from others myself.
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PHRatz

I remember Baley

Ratz wrote:

I can't answer that but I've seen them stepped on by dogs & nothing happens, stepped on by horses they get broken.
I remember several years ago on another forum a woman from NM posted that she had a new box turtle she'd just gotten because the turtle had been baled up in a round bale of hay that came from KS. When the owners of the hay opened the bale out fell this box turtle who was still alive.
I don't know how much pressure there is in a bound up bale of hay but I'd think quite a bit.. so that turtle had been in there for several days to weeks, then shipped from one state to another.. and survived. I thought that was truly an amazing story.
That doesn't answer your question but wondering about how much pressure is in a bale when you are bound up in the middle of it could give you more to think about...

>>I remember Baley

I thought you might
I wonder what ever happened to that woman? She left that "turtle community" long before the whole thing went down the tubes. I wonder if she still has Baley? I can't even remember what her name was... I've slept since 3-5 or however many years ago lol.
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PHRatz

I think I remember Baley also. The story sure sounded familiar when I read it. That got me thinking "when did I join this forum?" Now I'm trying to remember how old my turtles are and when did I first find this place! lol!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.11.0 chickens
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband

I doubt that you put enough material on top of the turtle to cause a problem. Turtles dig into the ground quite far during very cold winters. I'm talking several feet, so you can safely put that much on without concern. If the turtle is underground a goof 6 or 8 inches you can probably step on her without causing damage. If she is just under the surface you could cause shell damage, althought I have accidently stepped on my turtles before with no damage. If you still want to look for her, do so on your hands and knees so you'll disperse the weight over 4 points.
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Tess
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