page_title: Florida box turtle
section_title: Reproduction and life cycle
hierarchical_section_title: Florida box turtle / Reproduction and life cycle
caption_attribution_description: English: T.c.bauri hatchling
context_page_description: The Florida box turtle is a subspecies of turtle belonging to the family Emydidae and is one of four subspecies of the common box turtle.
context_section_description: The Florida box turtle reaches sexual maturity around 12–13 years of age. While some species are only able to produce one clutch in a breeding season, the Florida box turtle has been observed laying as many as four separate clutches in a single year. The egg laying season occurs in the Spring and generally lasts from April to very early June. On average, each clutch will contain anywhere from 1 - 9 eggs that range in size from 35 x 19 mm to 38.5 x 21 mm. Its eggs tend to be slightly larger than those of other T. carolina subspecies. Researchers have observed a positive relationship between female carapace length and clutch size, with larger females possessing the ability to produce more eggs. Incubation of the eggs lasts an average of 60 days but can last anywhere from 45 – 120 days. Different environmental factors may influence the reproductive success of the Florida box turtle. Years with higher levels of precipitation may positively influence reproductive success, resulting in a higher number of hatchlings when compared with drier years. Research also points toward a positive correlation between latitude and clutch size in box turtles, with larger clutch sizes being found in higher latitudes. The incubation temperature of a clutch has been observed to influence the sex ratio of the hatchlings. Warm incubation temperatures tend to produce more females, while cooler temperatures result in more males.
  Its growth patterns are similar to other species of box turtles. Juvenile turtles have shorter and wider scutes and carapaces when compared to adults, but these lengthen as the individual grows. Growth rates are rapid in juveniles, slow down significantly following sexual maturity, and eventually level off completely a few years later (around 16 and 17 years in females and males respectively). Despite having higher activity levels, the Florida box turtle has a slower annual growth rate than other box turtle species.
caption: T. c. bauri hatchling
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