Phoenix Zoo reptile keepers find a surprise baby box turtle

The Phoenix Zoo was surprised to find a box turtle hatchling in an exhibit on Tuesday as the male turtle had not been with the females for over 18 months.

BY TORRENCE DUNHAM

Aug 30, 2020, 5:30 AM

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(Phoenix Zoo/Courtesy)

PHOENIX — Phoenix Zoo reptile keepers found something unexpected in an exhibit on Tuesday — an ornate box turtle hatchling.

The Zoo in a press release said the keepers were surprised to find the hatchling, which is about the size of a quarter, as the male turtle had not been with the females in over 18 months.

Female box turtles produce fertile clutches of eggs years after breeding with a male, according to the zoo, and typically egg incubation time is between 50 and 70 days from fertilization.

The zoo says it will take years to tell whether the hatchling is a boy or a girl.

The Phoenix Zoo remains closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, individuals can cruise the zoo inside a car during weekends in September.