Unfertilized eggs

[CharlieDan]

Hi all!

Just a quick question:
I have one single female redfoot, and I'm wondering if her laying or rather retaining unfertilized eggs is a concern? I know this can happen with snakes so just need to know if its also an issue with torts.

Thanks

 

[dmmj]

If you are asking, can they become egg bound? In pres. obama's infamous words " yes they can" ( paraphrasing). It is a concern, a female should always have a nesting area, to avoid becoming egg bound, and costly surgery.

 

[CharlieDan]

I'm asking if this can happen even without the presence of a male?

 

[mike taylor]

Yes females can lay without a male . But in saying that some don't .

 

[dmmj]

Yes,, they can lay duds ( lazy female tortoises), with no male present, just not as often like say chickens do.

 

[CharlieDan]

OK thank you all for your replies. My vet wasn't sure. Around what age would this would start? And any signs to look out for? Thanks!

 

[mike taylor]

About 7 /10 years .

 

[dmmj]

Once they reach sexual maturity, pacing is often a sign a female is looking to lay, but duds are pretty uncommon.

 

[CharlieDan]

OK she's about 6 now so I'll be on the lookout from now on! Thanks a lot guys, much appreciated

 

[CharlieDan]

Has it ever happened to any of your torts?

 

[Yvonne G]

My females that aren't with males do not dig nests and lay eggs.

 

[CharlieDan]

Ok thanks Yvonne

 

[Telid]

Yes,, they can lay duds ( lazy female tortoises), with no male present, just not as often like say chickens do.

Tortoise scrambled eggs?

 

[koen88]

Tortoise scrambled eggs?

I wonder what that would taste like

 

[Yvonne G]

ugh! For the RF tortoises to eat, not for human consumption. However, there are places in the world where people do eat turtle eggs.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

A female can store sperm from a past mating and lay FERTILE eggs months later with no male around. How long have you had her? I had a female once that laid many clutches of "dud" eggs with a male around. ( She just dropped them anywhere.) It goes both ways. I'd keep it/them for a week and then "candle" them and look for veins, etc. You might get a Christmas surprise.

 

[CharlieDan]

I agree Yvonne. The thoughts of that are gross!

I've had her since she was less than a year old. She was kept alone in the pet shop I bought her from and she has never been around a male (or any other tort for that matter).
Though I would consider getting another female in the future