Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I seem to recall reading that very young box turtles can't close their shells becuase the hinges or muscles that close them aren't developed yet. I was surprised to see this photo of a baby New Jersey Eastern with its shell fully closed. At what age to box turtles generally develop this ability?

Thanks,
Nate

Its not as much of an age related ability, as it is an ability that comes when they reach a certain size/weight. One theory is that the hinge becomes fully functional at about 250g, but I've found this to be inaccurate, having found a young turtle fully able to close up at 180g. In fact, I have a yearling here that I have seen almost completely closed in its shell that weighs only 50g. I suspect it has as much to do with the carapace-to-body size relationship as it does anything else.
Stephanie