Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I caught my male Florida box doing the deed to my female Brewster county, TX luteola this morning. Is this a viable union? I have had the female since '99, and collected the male back in '04. This is the first time that I have ever observed any sexual activity(surprisingly gooey). They both have the run of a screened in patio. I am primarily a snake person, but like my boxies. By the way, I've read that the western species are difficult to keep. Not for me........my female gets up on three legs for a superworm handout, loves her Friskies turkey giblets cat food, and relishes the bases of the hibiscus that grow in my yard. If you think that I may get some fertile eggs, I'm all ears as to how to set up a nest site. My boxies have their own plastic tub enclosures with a cypress mulch substrate. Anything else that a potentially preggers turtle lady needs? If you met her........you'd love her.........she is quite a character............regards........Steve G.

You most certainly could get hybrids. There's no predicting when it will happen and when it won't. There are countless examples of ornata hybridizing with both carolina and triunguis. My personal favorite shocker is the "Harding hybrid". It's a hybrid between a NA Wood turtle and a Blanding's turtle. They are 'supposed' to be much more distantly related than a florida to desert box turtle.

Aside - I use the phrase personal favorite loosely. Actually, I think that all of this hybridization mess is an abomination. I know, I'm a terrible snob...and very boring.

As for eggs, it depends. It depends on many factors. You're familiar with snakes. It's much the same in turtles. The females need to ovulate and produce follicles. Also, the timing must be correct for fertilization. It's all about cycling and timing. There are some differences between turtles and snakes. Only time will tell. For now, provide her with sturdy soil with a warming spotlight overtop, 8" to 10" deep. Who knows? It would be nice to see photos of these turtles. Please keep them family friendly. Also, you absolutely must post photos of the babies if there are any.

Here's one of my luteola hatchlings. These little guys are real spitfires!

Yes, this combination of species can produce eggs. I assume the turtles are adults, if that is the case the female can lay eggs as early as 4 weeks from now, or 4 years from now, or naytime in between As you may already know, female box turtles can retain sperm for quite a long time. The important thing to do now is to be sure the female has suitable spots to lay eggs -you don't want her retaining the eggs. Fix up 2 or 3 areas of deep, moist, warm topsoil and let nature take it's course. If you want to incubate the eggs-well, write again if you get eggs!
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Tess
Kingsnake.com Forum Host

Thanks for the tips...........Do you think filling her enclosure with 4 inches of potting soil will be suitable? Do gravid females exhibit any special behavior? If she is in her box, she is usually the first to "sprint" out looking for her dinner any time I go out on the patio. She will walk right up on my shoe expecting a treat. The male is somewhat shy........he waits for the food to hit the dish. Like I mentioned, she is quite a character. I'll have to post a pic of her "jumping" for a superworm.

You may be able to get away with 4 inches, but I'd put do more. Females can be VERY picky about nesting. You don't want her to drop her eggs on the floor. There's a good chance that they'll dry out or the male will eat them. Nesting females will tend to bask for long periods before laying. Also, you may notice her out and about near dusk. Females typically lay in the evening. They may lay at any time, and captive bred animals seem to just lay whenever. In a month, you may be able to gently palpate her for eggs. Pick her up and turn her on her side. Then, put your finger in the pocket just anterior to her rear leg on the side that is facing down. Do this carefully, and you may be able to feel a couple of smooth eggs. Without eggs, you really shouldn't feel anything. Sometimes, if they struggle, you will feel a bone. I hate to admit that I'm not sure of the bone you feel, but sometimes it feels like an egg. Good luck! Keep us posted.

My females have exhibited restlessness just before they need to lay eggs. They will not want to eat and ignore food, even the piggy ones!

I don't think 4 inches is not enough, depending on how long your females are. The turtle will reach very low with their hind feet and 4 inches can easily be dug- and if they hit something hard they may abort the effort and wait another day-or more. If they wait too long they could just lay the eggs on the gound or perhaps become eggbound.
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Tess
Kingsnake.com Forum Host