Tortoise laid eggs

Sandyf

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Hello everyone. I’m new to the site. I’ve had my tortoise for over 40 years having got him as a birthday gift back in the day. He lives out in the garden in the summer and is in the house at winter time. I say he but was shocked to find ‘he’ laid 2 eggs last night! They are full of water (I think). So I’ve obviously got a girl but at the tail it’s a V shape which I understood to be a male? Also the plastic (think that’s what you call it) is concave. Just looking for some advice on what’s going on as certainly never seen this happen before. Any info/advice welcome
 

TeamZissou

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Looks like a big (Ibera Greek maybe?) female. The tail would be much longer and thicker if it were male.

The lower jaw/beak needs to be filed or trimmed down.
 

Sandyf

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Hi. Many thanks for the info. I seem to recall years ago the vet saying she (can’t get used to that given all these years thought Humphry was a boy!) had a slight deformity to the lower jaw. Certainly doesn’t seem to have any issues with eating but I’ll get it checked out. So re the egg laying - I’ve never in the 40 years I’ve had her ever seen this happening - she’s out in the garden in the summer so maybe normally happens then but I would’ve thought I’d have seen something. So this is nothing to worry about that this has happened now a good sign all happy and healthy?
 

TeamZissou

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Ha! Yes, 40 years is a long time and would be tough to switch now. I had a friend in high school that had a cat named George that turned out to be female.

My understanding is that females can lay eggs without males around, but it is not super common. I do not think there is anything to worry about.

Search the forum for 'overgrown beak.' There are a lot of threads with both upper and lower overgrown beaks. It's possible to trim it yourself, or if you have an experienced tortoise vet they an do it.
 

Sandyf

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(The two threads have been merged by a moderator)


Hi everyone

Just wanted to update on my tortoise. I posted my first ever post a while back about her laying some eggs for the first time in 40+ years and this then being the discovery that my “he” was a “she”! Well turns out there was a whole load still in there that she couldn’t/wouldn’t pass. Result being as she was egg bound she’s had surgery to remove these. Vet said it’s the most eggs they’ve ever seen. The picture is just incredible. Her whole body was taken up with them! So far so good and patient is doing well. Humphry is a trooper!
 

Krista S

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Hi everyone

Just wanted to update on my tortoise. I posted my first ever post a while back about her laying some eggs for the first time in 40+ years and this then being the discovery that my “he” was a “she”! Well turns out there was a whole load still in there that she couldn’t/wouldn’t pass. Result being as she was egg bound she’s had surgery to remove these. Vet said it’s the most eggs they’ve ever seen. The picture is just incredible. Her whole body was taken up with them! So far so good and patient is doing well. Humphry is a trooper!
Sorry to hear about this. Thank goodness you took her in to get checked out. I’ll be praying for a speedy recovery for Humphry ❤️
 

TeamZissou

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Who did/where did you get the surgery done? Vets with tortoise experience are tough to come by, and I do not believe there are any vets from Scotland listed in the Tortoise Vet List sub forum. This info could help people with a similar situation in the future.
 

Sandyf

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The vet was recommended through my local vet and some of their vets specialise in tortoise and reptile care. I also checked them out they come recommended in some other tortoise care sites. They are called Lawrie Vets based in Cumbernauld.
 

Sandyf

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Photos here...come on!!! Glad it sounds like she's gonna be ok?
Here’s the pic - hope you’re not squeamish! Utterly amazing the amount inside that little body. And so far so good she’s doing well - even back outside (given Scotland’s current heatwave!) and enjoying eating all the lovely goodies in the garden!
 

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Maggie3fan

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Here’s the pic - hope you’re not squeamish! Utterly amazing the amount inside that little body. And so far so good she’s doing well - even back outside (given Scotland’s current heatwave!) and enjoying eating all the lovely goodies in the garden!
wow, thanks for the picture...most of us here are not in the least squeamish....oh Humphry!
 

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