Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 10:18 am Re: RES laying eggs for the first time
Be working on a better nesting box. One 2-3x's as large as the turtle and substrate as deep as her carapace is long . Also as natural as she may find in the wild.
In tank solution ??? Not really. Some turtles ,may lay a few eggs in the water but most will retain them , not good , so nesting box. Egg retention ( dystocia ) will cause all kind of problems. On that link I gave you did you read the paragraph starting in (RED) caution .
Being your first time with egg laying I would be looking for a Herp Vet to be on the ready. Also being a school's pet turtle may find a vet that will treat / help free or even a nature center , spca , rescue centers … check all. Even post on schools bulletin board for someone in neighborhood that's experienced with turtles ( females / eggs ) for local hands on help. Female with eggs need's more attention than your daily checks being in a school. Thanks' for caring and helping her but being in a school you need help , hands on in house help , you can not watch her 24/7 alone. Try a different nesting box as above stated. Ask principal to make an announcement on the PA for others to help you being a school pet , teachers , students , parents .
Can school put a web cam on her so someone in school knows when it's time. May take more than one time with some turtles too. Will be a great educational experience for all . Ask the principal , can't hurt ! Ask principal to make it a school project ! With her being alone don't expect babies , the eggs will be infertile. Make sure all others / kids too understand that.
Safety // do not leave her in nesting box all the time or over the weekend will get dehydrated !
Also putting her in nesting box when "she's" not ready for it does not help. When she is going crazy to get out / escape is better time to put her in nesting box , that's her telling you she's ready to lay a few and or all of them.
Sure lots of kids will be affected if something goes wrong. For that reason "seek" vet.... help "before" problems show up , all will thank you. My school had a local vet that helped with all our school pets free. Some of us kids back then even offered to help around the vets place to help in return. Thanks for caring so much. If there's a next time for a turtle get a male , much easier , especially for in a school. I / we will be here to help too !