Odd tortoise behaviour?

Question

My tortoise is quite old - I've had her for 16 years and my grandad had her for a very long time before that. At the moment she's digging a hole in the garden like she's about to lay eggs but she hasn't been in contact with a male tortoise for about 5 or 6 years and she's not laid eggs in the 16 years i've had her. Is it possible she'll lay fertile eggs?? (i live in the south of england and its been very warm recently - could this effect her?)

i was wondering if they can "store" the fertilised eggs for a while i know some animals can - not sure about tortoises!

Answer 1

Yes, tortoises do store sperm from a previous mating. From the reading I've done, seven years looks like the longest interval that has been definitely known about so your tortoise is still within the range of possibility for fertile eggs. Likely the warmth and the lengthening days have prompted this surprise but if she is outside she may have layed them in the past without your knowledge. Her age should not have an effect on the possible fertility, tortoises that are many decades old can still reproduce. I love hearing about tortoises that have been passed down through the family.

Answer 2

1. They CAN store sperm for many years... but it is rare that they would not lay eggs in the meantime- a more common scenario is that the tortoises mate, then hit a bad spell of weather that would put the eggs at risk- so the mom just skips a year or more until the weather cooperates.

Please note that if this IS the reason yours is now laying them, then it implies that the last several years have been poor climate for the tortoise.

2. Older solitary tortoises sometimes lay infertile eggs. No one is sure why. They are almost never fertile.

You do not state the species (I'm going to guess Hermann's or Greek), size, or habitat details but tortoises generally do not do super well in England outdoors without some supplemental heat at least at times. After all, England is quite a bit north of their native habitat.

The fact the tortoise has lived so long does not mean that the cares are good, just that these guys can survive poor conditions (IF indeed your conditions are poor) for a long time.

Answer 3

Yeah, she's getting ready to lay her eggs but without the male, i dont think they'll be fertile. The weather could have something to do with it. The countries they come from are very warm so the hot weather could just be bringing out her natural instinct.

Answer 4

Unfortunately I am a male Tortoise and cant help as leave that side of things to the female species !

But best of luck !

Answer 5

All turtles & torts can lay eggs whether they've mated or not. They're like chickens, they lay either way.
Let her do her thing, but watch in case she becomes egg bound, take her to a vet if she can't lay. You can feel up into the knee pockets (where he knees go up when she pulls herself in) to see if she does have eggs, check both sides. It might be hard to cos they dont like being poked up there!

Answer 6

She might lay eggs, but unless she has been in contact with a male tortoise, then no they will not be fertile.

Answer 7

I agree with Thea

Yes, tortoises do store sperm from a previous mating

Answer 8

i surely have 3 russian tortise they like to run in to a minimum of one yet another, and climb on one yet another so i do no longer think of which would be viewed agressive. Mine in the beginning up hist each and all of the time additionally so which you took it back to the puppy save and grow to be advised that thats only the noise it makes it does no longer do it now that we've greater then one so with any luck yours will quit yet confident they do climb bump and push one yet another over each and all of the time.

Answer 9

Keep an eye on her to make sure she's not "egg bound " .
This can be quite serious.

Answer 10

they carry sperms for up to 10 years, so they can become pregnant without being in contact with a male.....