My turtle (red eared slider) is pregnant, what should I do? She has already laid an egg in the water.?

Question

I have yet to set up a nesting area since she lives in an aquarium with a rock basking area. Any tips on what to do to get her to lay her eggs? Nesting with sand/soil good enough? Should I leave her in the sand/soil? For how long?

Any tips on creating a nesting area in an aquarium?

Will she lay the all her eggs once she starts?

What should I do with the eggs after she lays them? Where do I buy the equipment to incubate the eggs?

Thanks in advance!

I've had her since she was quarter-sized...7 years ago.

Answer 1

If your female has never been in contact with a male, then the eggs are infertile and you can just chuck them out. Turtles lay infertile eggs all the time.

Aquatic turtles will dump the eggs in the water if they do not have a suitable nesting site. You are correct in asking for a nesting site. Having an eggbound turtle is no fun and a pain.

I'd check if she has any more eggs before you get too worried. You should palpate her first. Here is how. Get her to extent her back legs and put your finger in the rear opening of the shell where the leg comes out and feel for eggs. You will know if you feel them. Please be gentle. She won't like you feeling in there and will try to pull her legs in. If she does, you cannot palpate. So, extent her legs gently and feel in there. If she has more eggs, you need to build a nesting site.

The easiest way is to have a escape proof rubbermaid tub filled with sand or any other dirty; doesn't matter. Keep a baing lamp on the nesting site, using a 100 watt bulb. Each day, take your girl out for one to two hours and leave her in the nesting rubbermaid with the heat lamp on. This will allow her a chance to lay.

The other option is building a nest site over/in the tank, depending on the size of your tank. This is very messy, and the nesting substrate is always brought into the water. Anyway, you can use a small rubbermaid tub that fits in your tank above the water level, but not allowing the turtle to escape. Make a ramp or use drift wood to allow it to climb up.

I prefer taking the turtle out and it is very effective. Many people think providing a nest box in the aquarium is better, but from experience, it's often more work.

Answer 2

This complete factor is as much as you. If your pond has fish in it, they'll devour the child turtles once they hatch. You would additionally take the eggs and supply them to a puppy retailer that sells reptiles (ensure they promote turtles!!!) But, turtles are an intriguing addition to any pond, colossal or small, deep or shallow. The turtles would possibly get eaten via a heron/predator at a tender age. If come to a decision to hold them, positioned them again in which you determined them NOW. The mom turtle as a rule went out for a few meals whilst protecting her eggs. Hope this is helping.

Answer 3

how long have you had her? she may have had male cantact at the pet store or breeding site. but she may also just be emptying out her unfertalized eggs. I know how to care for babies so if there are babies email me and send'em to me and when your ready you can have them back or let me ave them.

Answer 4

watch her closly but thats all u can do then sell them or give them away