Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My RES and Mississippi map were mating this afternoon. I didn't put them into hybrination. All winter their water stayed at 75 and their lights were on for 10 hours a day. I didn't think i would have a problem with them mating since they're different species, but do i have to be concerned about having turtle babies? How long are female turtles gravid? Do i need to provide a place for her to lay eggs? Any help would be appreciated.

I have seen Common Map Turtle x Red Eared Slider hybrids, but not Mississippi x Red Eared. (Anyone who may have seen such a hybrid give your 2 cents. It would be interesting to see)

To answer your other question, it takes several weeks for a females' folicles to develop the hard shell around them. And yes, she would need a land area with soil or sand 6 or more inches deep. To tell if she actually is gravid you can feel for mature eggs by palpating the cavity in front of her rear legs. Use your ring, pinky fingers, and thumb to hold her rear leg outstretched, and softly feel the cavity with your middle finger. You will feel definite hard objects inside if there are mature eggs.

Was the male simply mounting the female or did you actually see compulation?

Also, like any animal, just because there was compulation between even like species does not mean there was definite fertilization.(And remember we are not even talking like species here) So you may want to palpate the female in several weeks, (though turtles can retain sperm for up to 4 years), but I personally wouldn't hold a strong likelyhood for your female being fertilized or producing eggs.

-JG