We have a hatching tortstork egg

[Thomas Anderson]

Back in July I ordered a egg from tortstork.com had it shipped to my house an started incubating the egg an today Lady's an gentleman we have a hatching Russian tortoise egg. when I'm holding I can feel him moving an scratching. Is is the first time I ever hatched anything an the first time owning a tortoise shellfreak has been awesome helping me though the whole process an teaching me everything I need to know about caring an incubating the egg/tortoise Shellfreak is the owner tortstork he is a member here so if you're interested in an egg or a hatchling send him a message

 

[counting]

Super curious about how these are shipped.

 

[counting]

Also congratulations

 

[Yvonne G]

That's great news! Feel free to get all that vermiculite off the opening so he can breathe freely.

 

[Thomas Anderson]

Super curious about how these are shipped.

Lol that's a tortstork secret let's just say the egg was well packed

 

[Thomas Anderson]

That's great news! Feel free to get all that vermiculite off the opening so he can breathe freely.

Thank you I got it off after the pictures were taken

 

[counting]

Lol that's a tortstork secret let's just say the egg was well packed

Well...
Can you answer if it was:
Shipped early and fast enough that having it turned wasn't an issue?

Or:
Shipped in such a way that the positional integrity was maintained?

 

[counting]

Well...
Can you answer if it was:
Shipped early and fast enough that having it turned wasn't an issue?

Or:
Shipped in such a way that the positional integrity was maintained?

I should add I'm not a tort breeder, and I can't be a client as I'm in Canada. I'm just curious!

 

[Thomas Anderson]

I should add I'm not a tort breeder, and I can't be a client as I'm in Canada. I'm just curious!

Yes shipped within 48 hours of being laid and it's well packed so it won't break or crack

 

[Thomas Anderson]

I should add I'm not a tort breeder, and I can't be a client as I'm in Canada. I'm just curious!

Check out his website he explains it pretty well https://tortstork.com

 

[counting]

Neat. Can't wait to see your little tort!

 

[Beasty_Artemis]

Seriously cool. Keep us updated!
I never would have bet on an egg that was shipped to hatch successfully! But I'm very curious about his shipping methods.

 

[shellfreak]

How do I ship? The question I get over and over again. Let's just say, It took a few times to nail it. Once I found the right substance to carefully pack the egg, that wouldn't dry it out, hold moisture and prevent it from breaking, I haven't lost an egg yet. The egg is packed with this specific substance inside a small plastic container. That container is then packed inside a deli cup surrounded by vermiculite, which is not only serving the purpose of keeping the egg from lots of movement, but also serves as the substance you incubate your egg in. It is then placed in newspaper and put into a styrofoam insulated box. I ship within 48 hours. As long as the egg doesn't get warm it won't start to cure/chalk. Who knows, maybe this could help with conservation by shipping rare tortoise eggs to their native land, then buried into the ground and allow them to hatch naturally to help repopulate an endangered species. At least that's my future vision. I know placing hatchlings back into the wild is frowned upon, but is placing an egg in its native land, allowing them to hatch frowned upon?

 

[Tom]

At least that's my future vision. I know placing hatchlings back into the wild is frowned upon, but is placing an egg in its native land, allowing them to hatch frowned upon?

Who cares if its "frowned upon"? And who is doing the frowning anyway? I'm not frowning. I'm smiling. Follow your dreams man. The best things that have happened in the world all happened in the face of naysayers. Innovate, experiment and learn. Don't let the words of failed people without vision shut you down too. When they say: "You can't…" Show them that you can.

In a practical sense, babies in the wild have a very high rate of attrition. Few survive to adulthood. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 300-1000 die for every one that makes it. Head starting them near their native ares and releasing juveniles or sub-adults, is a much more effective way to go if repopulating a "repaired" wild area is the goal.

 

[counting]

That's awesome! Very cool.
What has the has the hatch rate been from your shipped eggs? (If you have the statistics)

If I was in the USA, I'd be ordering an egg right now.

Op, Any update on your hatchling?

 

[shellfreak]

Thanks Tom

 

[Thomas Anderson]

Hey has arrived 9-7-17 love this guys pattern. He's super healthy thank you tortstork aka shellfreak. Best experience ever.

 

[counting]

Congratulations! He's awesome!!

Again, so wish I had the option of doing this here!!

 

[Thomas Anderson]

First bath. he just started to eat too haven't been able to catch a picture of him eating yet he's shy lol

 

[wellington]

How do I ship? The question I get over and over again. Let's just say, It took a few times to nail it. Once I found the right substance to carefully pack the egg, that wouldn't dry it out, hold moisture and prevent it from breaking, I haven't lost an egg yet. The egg is packed with this specific substance inside a small plastic container. That container is then packed inside a deli cup surrounded by vermiculite, which is not only serving the purpose of keeping the egg from lots of movement, but also serves as the substance you incubate your egg in. It is then placed in newspaper and put into a styrofoam insulated box. I ship within 48 hours. As long as the egg doesn't get warm it won't start to cure/chalk. Who knows, maybe this could help with conservation by shipping rare tortoise eggs to their native land, then buried into the ground and allow them to hatch naturally to help repopulate an endangered species. At least that's my future vision. I know placing hatchlings back into the wild is frowned upon, but is placing an egg in its native land, allowing them to hatch frowned upon?

You and @tortadise need to talk.
I love that you figured it out and have success at it. I love even more the idea of shipping endangered species eggs to their natural habitat. This is where I think you and Kelly (tortadise) could really work together.