First time egg layer

[Bducks16]

This is her first clutch of eggs she has laid. She started yesterday pacing her pen I had a feeling she was looking for a good spot to nest. 11 o’clock this morning she picked a spot and 4 hours later eggs were laid and hole filled back in. She didn’t dig deep maybe 8 inches. With out trying to disturb her too much I only counted 5 eggs. She’s now having a soak. I don’t plan to hatch her eggs maybe a clutch or two in the future. Can I leave the eggs in the ground until fall if I do decide to incubate them later? Also being her first clutch is it highly possible none of the eggs are fertilized?

 

[Tom]

• Small clutch size is normal for first time moms.
• Fertility can be high or low in first clutches. I've seen both for sulcatas.
• Eggs are fine to stay in the ground for months.
• If you have hot summer weather for 3 months, these eggs will incubate and hatch in the ground. I know they will here, but I don't know about your area.
• I like to add extra calcium to the female's diet once they start laying eggs.
• Expect 2 or 3 more clutches this year.
• Might be some useful info here for you: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-incubate-eggs-and-start-hatchlings.124266/

 

[Bducks16]

I’m near Portland Oregon, I don’t think it’s possible to hatch naturally here. Thanks for the link. A few months between clutches you figure?

 

[Tom]

I’m near Portland Oregon, I don’t think it’s possible to hatch naturally here. Thanks for the link. A few months between clutches you figure?

Usually about 5-6 weeks in between clutches for sulcatas.

 

[Bducks16]

Well I decided to incubate. Dug up her eggs she laid 12.

 

[madbad]

congrats!