General Care Discussion :: RES just laid eggs- had no idea.

[Onecrazymom]

Hi- just found you all; this is my first post. My sons 6 yr old RES just laid eggs (6 of them) in our tank/water. We've had her all 6 yrs so I'm sure they aren't fertilized. What should we do? In reading through this board, I've found some advice, but still have some questions. Do we get the eggs out? Is she ok? Looking back, the last few weeks she's been scratching on her basking platform and we took her outside and she was trying to dig a hole in the dirt (now I know why!) will she lay more? Is it certain they won't hatch? We were stunned when we looked in the tank and saw them! Thanks for all help!

[steve]

Welcome to the site! I'm guessing she is kept alone?

Yes, you can throw away the eggs. She sounds fine, but she can have more now or in the future. Keep an eye out for those signs. You can feel for them and you can have x-rays to confirm it if you want.

[Tampa Bay Turtle Fan]

Agreed with what Steve stated. Maybe provide if you don't have one already a nesting area. I do not know your set up at all and some do still lay in the water, others would take advantage of a nesting area. But a few clutches can keep coming.

[Onecrazymom]

Steve- Thanks for the welcome! Yes, she's 'single' I have been combing the web for habitat ideas. Ideally I'd love to get something outdoors in a pen for her- she's getting pretty big (8" across shell). She's in a huge aquarium with a basking area we made, but no dirt or gravel- she was trying to dig on the platform (I'd put astroturf) so I need to replace that now. One last question. We're planning on cleaning the tank out this weekend, but I noticed one of the eggs must have broken overnight. I'm at work and will get home in about 6 hours. Can the cleaning wait til the morning, or is that a problem since it was in the water? This is all so new and strange! Thanks for the info!

[steve]

Most in tank nesting areas don't work, and doesn't seem like worth the effort. I think you can wait until the morning for the cleaning.

[iamjasongriffin]

i have a 10 yr old that lives in 55 gal aquarium w a basking pad...A few years ago she began trying to climb out of her aquarium...so, I let her out and out the doggie door she went and out into the back yard to lay eggs...this is usually an 8 process...I was very concerned the 1st time as i had no idea or experience with such...the last few years have been a little easier as i kinda of expect this every year about this time...she usually lays a couple times a year, usually 3 eggs..my biggest problem is that she picks the hardest dirt in the yard to dig a nest and usually gets about half way ((4 hrs) into it, and then goes to another spot in the yard and starts over...I have a flower bed that I've fenced in before to let her use as the ground is easier for digs...any input regarding nesting is greatly appreciated...will keep updated as she is digging as i type this

[steve]

If you anticipate that she wants to nest and has a favorite spot, can you water around the area ahead of time?

[Tampa Bay Turtle Fan]

If you anticipate that she wants to nest and has a favorite spot, can you water around the area ahead of time?

Agreed what Steve here as mentioned based on my ongoing research from some of the big turtle breeders. I also see that in your situation, it is like clockwork and I am looking forward to breeding mine in the future. I have always bred some type of reptile more so for my personal educational and experience. I bred many many lizard species, coulubrid snakes such as rat snakes and kingsnakes and many many boids which are the boas and pythons from all over the World that require different temperatures due to different localities where each comes from and mountain regions. It has always interested me and led me into reptile medicine and reptile atanomy.

I have a total of 6 years experience in husbandry and care of turtles compared to over 25 to 30 years in snakes and lizards. Breeding turtles will be all fairly brand new for me over the next few years to master. Hopefully I can find a pair or trio of adult albinos prior to my youngsters getting to their adulthood to gain the needed experience prior. I thank you for pointing out that it is like clockwork on the laying of the eggs and I will be doing some serious research on this in the months to come. Thank you for your posting