Full Grown Reeve's Turtles: Size, Appearance, Price & More

Reeve's turtles, also known as Chinese box turtles, make fascinating pets. However, it's important to be prepared for how they change as they reach full maturity. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about fully grown Reeve's turtles, including size, appearance, personality, care needs, and more.

About Reeve's Turtles

Reeve's turtles are semi-aquatic turtles native to central and southern China. They are one of the more popular turtle species kept as pets. As with any turtle, it's crucial to properly care for them throughout their lifespan, which can last over 30 years in captivity.

Size at Full Growth

At full growth, female Reeve's turtles reach a carapace (shell) length of 5-6 inches, while males grow slightly smaller to around 4-5 inches long. In terms of height, a fully grown Reeve's turtle stands approximately 2-3 inches tall.

Weight at Full Growth

On average, fully matured female Reeve's turtles weigh 1-2 pounds, whereas males typically max out at around 1 pound or less.

Appearance at Full Growth

As Reeve's turtles mature, their shell shape changes from oval to more rounded and domed. Their plastron (bottom shell) also becomes increasingly concave. Males can be identified by their thicker tails and exposed claws on their front feet compared to females.

Shell Color and Patterns

At full size, the carapace shows distinct patterns of yellowish rings encircling darker brown centers. The plastron is a solid yellowish or creamy white color. They have greyish-black skin and legs.

Personality at Full Growth

In general, Reeve's turtles take on a more reserved personality as adults compared to when younger. They are less active and inclined to explore. However, they still enjoy soaking in shallow water as well as grazing on land. With proper care and handling from an early age, fully grown Reeve's can become docile pets.

Price

On average, an adult female Reeve's turtle costs $80-150 depending on size and availability from your local pet store or turtle breeder. Males are usually less expensive at around $50-100 each as adults.

Food and Feeding

A fully grown Reeve's turtle's diet consists of a varied selection of foods including:

• Dark, leafy greens like romaine and kale
• Berries such as strawberries and raspberries
• Vegetables like carrots, green beans, and squash
• Protein sources like feeder insects, worms, and shrimp or fish
• Calcium and vitamin supplements as needed

Feed adult Reeve's turtles every other day, allowing foraging time between feedings. Provide a shallow water dish for soaking and drinking.

Lifespan

Properly cared for Reeve's turtles have been known to live 30-40 years or longer. With excellent husbandry, many pet owners report their Reeve's turtles reaching ages 20+ years old.

Health at Full Growth

As adults, Reeve's turtles are generally hardy pets but remain susceptible to the same health issues as when younger, including:

• Metabolic bone disease from inadequate calcium intake
• Shell rot from poor hygiene or injuries
• Intestinal parasites from contaminated food or water
• Eye and respiratory infections

Monitor adults closely for any signs of illness and take promptly to an exotic vet for treatment as needed.

Care and Nutritional Needs

The care requirements for fully grown Reeve's turtles are similar to when younger but with some adjustments based on their larger size:

• Provide a secure aquatic area such as a 20-30 gallon aquarium or pond with a submersible filter
• Include both aquatic and dry basking areas with access in and out of the water
• Maintain water quality with regular partial water changes
• Supplement the diet as mentioned above to meet nutritional needs
• Clean the enclosure thoroughly 1-2 times weekly to remove waste
• Soak adults in shallow water daily for hydration and exercise

Cost of Ownership

The average monthly costs of caring for a fully grown Reeve's turtle include:

• $30-50 for a suitable enclosure such as a 30-40 gallon aquarium or outdoor pond
• $15-25 for food, including dark leafy greens, vegetables, and protein sources
• $10-20 on supplements like calcium without D3 and multivitamins
• $50-100 annually for routine vet exams and any necessary medical treatment

Overall plan to spend a minimum of $50-75 per month to properly care for an adult Reeve's turtle long-term.

Behavior Changes as Adults

Compared to when young, adult Reeve's turtles tend to demonstrate the following behavioral traits:

• Less active overall with less tendency to swim and explore
• More sedentary time spent grazing on land or basking out of the water
• Potentially more territorial over their space if housed communally
• Less inclined to be social with or take food from the hands of owners
• May become slightly more reclusive in enclosed habitats

Notable Characteristics

Some distinguishing features of fully grown Reeve's turtles include:

• Bold, ornate patterns on their olive-colored carapace
• Bright yellow plastron that provides easy visual identification
• Stocky build and rounded, domed shell shape as adults
• Long claws well-adapted for burrowing or climbing out of water
• Thicker tails and exposed front claws in males for identification

When is a Reeve's Turtle Fully Grown?

Most Reeve's turtles reach sexual maturity and adulthood between 5-7 years of age. At this point, their growth plates have fused and maximum shell size is achieved. However, it can sometimes take until 8-10 years for their personality and behaviors to fully mature.

Suitability as Pets

When provided with the proper care requirements throughout their 30+ year lifespan, Reeve's turtles generally make suitable pets. However, their size as adults means large enclosures are necessary. Their more sedentary temperament also means significant handling is not required for their well-being. With the right set-up and commitment to their needs whether young or mature, Reeve's turtles can thrive as enjoyable captive reptiles.