Leopard Nests

[JeffG]

I found two spots this morning that were obviously dug by my 8 year old female leopard tortoise. I have no doubt about that, but I am wondering if you can tell from looking if it is a "test" hole, or an actual nest with eggs in it. I carefully dug into one only to find it blocked by two very strong roots a few inches under the surface. There is no way that she got through those roots.

I didn't have time to dig into the other spot before I went to work this morning, but I can tomorrow morning if that is what I should do. I just don't know exactly what I should do. I would almost prefer to leave a real nest alone and let the eggs try to hatch naturally in the ground. I could build a "fence" around the area so that if babies did hatch they would be confined until I found them.

My female was mounted by a 5 year old male a few times this summer, but I really don't know if he was old/big enough to impregnate her. There is a good chance that she is (or is trying to) laying infertile eggs, but I want to do whatever I need to just in case they are fertile.

Any insight/advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Neal]

Usually test holes are left open, as in the female doesn't bother to fill them back in. I have had one nest in the past three seasons where the female actually filled the hole back in without laying any eggs. If this is her first time laying, I would just dig the eggs up if I were you, if for no other particular reason than just curiosity.

 

[JeffG]

Thanks Neal. I will be digging in the morning! I will also be buying an incubator shortly after if I find anything.

 

[Neal]

Did you try to dig up the second hole?

 

[JeffG]

LOL! Yes, but after seeing some pictures of actual leopard nests, I realized that both of the holes my female made were only test holes. They were just "started" nests, not the real thing. I will be watching closely now though. Thanks for your input Neal!

 

[Neal]

Cool, if she's digging test holes then she should do the real thing soon enough. One of my females dug about 5 test holes over about 2-3 weeks before starting to actually lay this year.