Posted by:
Steve_5201
at Fri Jun 27 00:48:15 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Steve_5201 ]
In my experience, it is pretty common for male three-toeds to lack a plastral concavity. I would say that since I have seen this in wild specimens in areas where the local box turtle population is quite high, a lack of a concavity would not affect a male box turtle's breeding ability. Some box turtles just don't want to breed, and this can be for a number of reasons. Hibernating does seem to help box turtles in reproducing, but it is not absolutely necessary in order for box turtles to reproduce. I have heard of box turtles that weren't allowed to hibernate for a number of years, and still produced offspring. I would still reccommend hibernating box turtles that would hibernate in the wild. As I said before, box turtles may not want to hibernate for a number of reasons. Make sure your male to female ratio is adequate. Many females do not want to breed because the male(s) is too aggressive and chases her around a lot. I like to keep my box turtles in 1.2 or 2.3 groups. Also make sure your female has enough room and hiding spots to get away from the male if she wants. Health is another big factor. Make sure that both the male and the female are offered a variety of nutritious foods, along with vitamin and calcium supplements. As stated before, hibernation plays a big key in the reproductive cycle of box turtles. Good luck with breeding these wonderful animals!
Steve
[ Hide Replies ]
|
RE: mating and hibernation? - Steve_5201, Fri Jun 27 00:48:15 2003