Bell’s hingeback question

[Rae]

Hello all! We have a Bell’s hingeback that we’ve had since March 2000. Her age is unknown—she was already adult size when we got her. Last night she laid a clutch of eggs. She’s had no contact with a male the whole time we’ve had her, so they’re not fertile, of course. But is this normal? A random clutch without breeding and at her age? We were quite surprised to see them!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Changa]

Hello all! We have a Bell’s hingeback that we’ve had since March 2000. Her age is unknown—she was already adult size when we got her. Last night she laid a clutch of eggs. She’s had no contact with a male the whole time we’ve had her, so they’re not fertile, of course. But is this normal? A random clutch without breeding and at her age? We were quite surprised to see them!

Thanks in advance!

I bet u guys were surprised!
I am new to to this life of tortoises
I am learning I wish u guys well and on this forum u will get HELP

 

[Rae]

I bet u guys were surprised!
I am new to to this life of tortoises
I am learning I wish u guys well and on this forum u will get HELP

Thank you!

Now, after some research, I think she is actually a nogueyi, not a belliana. Still learning with this girl.

 

[Changa]

Thank you!

Now, after some research, I think she is actually a nogueyi, not a belliana. Still learning with this girl.

U think u know about these creatures u read or someone have new information we learning something new

 

[TammyJ]

Hello all! We have a Bell’s hingeback that we’ve had since March 2000. Her age is unknown—she was already adult size when we got her. Last night she laid a clutch of eggs. She’s had no contact with a male the whole time we’ve had her, so they’re not fertile, of course. But is this normal? A random clutch without breeding and at her age? We were quite surprised to see them!

Thanks in advance!

How come your information says "New Member" and also "10 Year Member"? Can't be both, eh?
Your tortoise is beautiful, I love the hingebacks. Not an expert, so someone else will offer their advice or comments on the egg laying.

 

[Minority2]

How come your information says "New Member" and also "10 Year Member"? Can't be both, eh?
Your tortoise is beautiful, I love the hingebacks. Not an expert, so someone else will offer their advice or comments on the egg laying.

Your member title changes depending on how many total messages you have.

 

[Rae]

How come your information says "New Member" and also "10 Year Member"? Can't be both, eh?
Your tortoise is beautiful, I love the hingebacks. Not an expert, so someone else will offer their advice or comments on the egg laying.

I joined back in 2008 and lurked, I think. Have apparently never posted. LOL

 

[William Lee Kohler]

Are you going to incubate and try just in case? Parthenogenesis or long delayed laying?

 

[Rae]

Are you going to incubate and try just in case? Parthenogenesis or long delayed laying?

After 18+ years is it even possible?

I have an incubator and would be willing to try, just didn’t think it’d be possible.

 

[Yvonne G]

How come your information says "New Member" and also "10 Year Member"? Can't be both, eh?
Your tortoise is beautiful, I love the hingebacks. Not an expert, so someone else will offer their advice or comments on the egg laying.

The "new member" I.D. is triggered by how many posts a person has made.

 

[Yvonne G]

After 18+ years is it even possible?

I have an incubator and would be willing to try, just didn’t think it’d be possible.

Females can store sperm for several years, but I think 18 would be stretching it a might.

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Hello all! We have a Bell’s hingeback that we’ve had since March 2000. Her age is unknown—she was already adult size when we got her. Last night she laid a clutch of eggs. She’s had no contact with a male the whole time we’ve had her, so they’re not fertile, of course. But is this normal? A random clutch without breeding and at her age? We were quite surprised to see them!

Thanks in advance!

View attachment 255744

That is great. This kind if event, even though they are likely not fertile indicates you are providing a reasonably good diet and enclosure climate. Good job. Hinge-backs are cool.

Your avatar box does not indicate where you are, but maybe you could find a date for your tortoise.

 

[Rae]

I’m in Arkansas, but we’re honestly not really looking to breed her. Just really afraid of something going wrong.

Also, we’ve read they live 20-25 years in captivity; how true is that? Here we’re thinking she’s an old lady and she lays her first clutch of eggs lol

 

[William Lee Kohler]

After 18+ years is it even possible?

I have an incubator and would be willing to try, just didn’t think it’d be possible.

Honestly do not know but why throw them out and not even try? After all she went to all the trouble and stress of developing and laying them so give her a chance to be a mom again.
Also if she was adult when you got her this is probably not her first laying. If tortoises are kept and well cared for they can live many decades in captivity as they have naturally long lifespans. I have a Redfoot I got as a hatchling in Nov 1974. That's 44 years and not a record by any means.