What is the straight carapace length range for Wood Turtle hatchlings upon emerging?
Answer
2.8 to 3.8 centimeters
Wood Turtle hatchlings are notably small when they first emerge. Their straight carapace length measures specifically between 2.8 and 3.8 centimeters. This small size signifies the beginning of a long developmental period, as they lack the defining characteristics of adults, such as bright pigmentation and fully developed scute ridges. Their shell is nearly circular at this stage, and they require significant time to grow into the medium size characteristic of mature individuals, which can take between 14 to 20 years to reach sexual maturity.
Related Questions
What does the specific epithet *insculpta* reference regarding the Wood Turtle carapace?What is the straight carapace length range for Wood Turtle hatchlings upon emerging?How does the male Wood Turtle's plastron shape differ structurally from the female's?What physical structure on the Wood Turtle carapace is typically a low, raised ridge running down the center?What coloration is typically observed on the exposed skin of the Wood Turtle's throat and inner legs?What maximum recorded size is cited for the Wood Turtle in some research findings, such as those in Michigan?Which characteristic of the Wood Turtle helps distinguish it from the Eastern Box Turtle shell texture?What pattern is characteristically found on the Wood Turtle plastron, the lower shell?When do Wood Turtles typically reach sexual maturity, and is the sex determined by temperature?What is the typical weight of a fully grown Wood Turtle in imperial measurements?