Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, I was wondering what size females have to be before they start breeding? Thanks for any help you can offer!

Which type of box turtle are you mainly curious about?

Sorry, forgot to put that in there. Easterns specifically. Thanks!

It is very variable. While living in the North, I never had a female of less than around 5" lay. Down South, I have some that lay at 4.5".

StephF has a weight threshold that she has observed. I can't remember exactly, but maybe she'll chime in.

I don't have any females under 400g (non-gravid weight) that lay eggs. There is, however, a range of average weights between the reproductive females. I have also had a couple of females continue to grow after they produced their first clutches of eggs.

Really, I don't know that your question can be answered with a *specific* number for length, width, height, or weight. Every turtle is a little different.

Thanks very much for your responses. While it seems length/weight are not always exact, at least now I have a base that I can go off now. Thanks again!!!