You dont need all the dirt to be that deep. just a nesting box area.

Get a rubbermaid container18x12 inches or so, and 12 inches deep. fill that with substrate. Build a ramp so she can walk up to it. put it in a corner, and also, put a rock or something under the far end (end away from ramp.) That will make the container be a few inches higher on the far end. Thats important because she will want to lay not only in deep substrate, but Also on a hill/incline. Put a big rock or something also on top of the nesting box at the far end.

This will replicate what they need, which is, deep soil, an incline, and a rock or stump at top.

Both my females have laid eggs indoors in such a box.

Good luck

JoeImhof Wrote:You dont need all the dirt to be that deep. just a nesting box area.

Get a rubbermaid container18x12 inches or so, and 12 inches deep. fill that with substrate. Build a ramp so she can walk up to it. put it in a corner, and also, put a rock or something under the far end (end away from ramp.) That will make the container be a few inches higher on the far end. Thats important because she will want to lay not only in deep substrate, but Also on a hill/incline. Put a big rock or something also on top of the nesting box at the far end.

This will replicate what they need, which is, deep soil, an incline, and a rock or stump at top.

Both my females have laid eggs indoors in such a box.

Good luck

Very interesting...... Has anybody else done this?

My temps are about 80. I am keeping them indoors and it is about 5ft long and 2 ft wide. How can u make them mate or does it just happens?

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Also my female is in the corner with her hind legs in a lot. Does this mean something??

coledoug1 Wrote:My temps are about 80. I am keeping them indoors and it is about 5ft long and 2 ft wide. How can u make them mate or does it just happens?

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Also my female is in the corner with her hind legs in a lot. Does this mean something??

What do you mean by your temps are about 80? You should know all four of your temperatures, basking, warm,cool and nighttime. If you haven't got that all setup correctly, I think it's too soon to try to take care of hatchlings.

Well I have a thermometer in there that us hooked up to a light. When it gets to 65 degrees it goes on.

Your tortoises need a basking temperature of about 95F, the warm side of the enclosure should be in the upper 70's, they need a cool side also, which should be in the lower 70's. Low 60's for overnight.

The whole enclosure should not be around 80F and only heat up when a thermostat drops to 65F, If I am understanding you correctly.

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I'm not trying to discourage you, but hatchlings aren't as forgiving of poor husbandry as adult torts. I don't think it's fair to them to try to bring them into this world without putting some serious thought and research into what you're doing. In fact, it makes me kind of sad

Agree generally with Laurie. We have 95-105F under the basking lamps, and upper 70's on cool side. Entire enclosure goes down to room temperature at night, so 68-74 depending if we have AC or heat on.

Thats the way to go. cool side, hot side, night temps fall.