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Hello,

My female RES exhibited typical behavior described when preparing to lay eggs. When I first put her in her new nesting box with dry soil substrate, she initially was very excited/agitated and kept trying to get out. After leaving her overnight, she settled in and buried herself in the soil. The first day, she poked her head and let me pet her, but the second and third days she remained under the soil in the same spot she first buried herself.

Prior to this, she was healthy. I did palpate and felt eggs, then followed online directions to make her nesting box.

My question is first, how long should I leave her if she remains buried? She was extremely restless in her water tank. I felt so bad for her, but now she is too quiet and isn't moving at all.

Is it best to leave her alone and wait to see if she comes around after laying her eggs?

I was told RES can live several months w/o food or water. Is this true?

I would feel absolutely terrible if I harmed her in any way!

Many thanks in advance for any advice you can give to me!

Mo

If she is buried herself, then that more likely means she's stressed or uncomfortable. WHen she's excited and wants to get out of her aquarium is when you place her into the nesting box (or yard).

She was very excited and restless in her aquarium and exhibiting typical behavior prior to egg laying and that is why I put her in the nesting box. She continued to be excited in the nesting box, but settled down after burying herself that evening, when the house was dark and quiet, then she didn't move at all for several days.
I was worried that she was either trying to go into hibernation or had gotten ill and died.

After returning her to the aquarium after 4 days of being buried, other than occasionally digging, she has been acting normal. She did not lay any eggs and I can still feel some behind her rear legs.

Any other advice? If not, I will take her to the vet this week. I would feel horrible if I did something to cause her to become ill!

Are you feeling it in the right space? It's in front of the rear leg, not between the rear leg and tail.

Yes, I'm feeling in the right space. There is an egg on each side. It's obvious to the touch and in comparison to my male RES.

If you're sure there are eggs and nothing else seems wrong with her, I would wait about 3 more weeks. If nothing happens by then, take her to the vet.

Also, what substrate is in your nesting box? They won't lay, if the dirt has things like rocks or sticks in it.

Thanks so much for the advice to wait, Jeremiah. I'm using some primo soil with a little sand in the nesting box. There aren't any clumps, rocks or sticks. So far, she continues to act normal, so we'll see what happens.

Thank you for your replies! I found a lot of information about nesting, but not about the female burying herself. I did locate a Vet nearby, so I have medical help for her if needed.

How deep is the box? Most nesting boxes don't work out. Again, if she buries herself then she's stressed or wants to hide. Do you have a safe place outdoors for her to try?