Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of my turtles just laid an egg for the first time last night (I say "first time" because this was the first time I have known about it). A few facts first:

The two are both female RES turtles and live together in an indoor tank.
Last night I saw them fighting (one was biting the other's leg) and I tried to break it up and then the next thing I knew one was swimming away with an egg IN HER MOUTH. It looked like a dog running with a toy. They fought over the egg and devoured it and even ate the crumbs.

Questions:

1. Is it normal to lay eggs with no males around?
2. If it is normal, what is the normal laying pattern and frequency?
3. If it is not normal, why did it happen?
4. Is it safe and normal for them to eat their own eggs?

Thanks!

Abby

1. Is it normal to lay eggs with no males around?

YES

2. If it is normal, what is the normal laying pattern and frequency?

THERE IS NO PATTERN TO IT.

3. If it is not normal, why did it happen?

N/A

4. Is it safe and normal for them to eat their own eggs?

SAFE AND HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS -- JUST KINDA GROSS AND MESSY

Steve

Steve, thats crazy! Do you have any idea how it happens with no males around?? Thanks for answering that question... I'll have to take that into consideration before I buy a female....

-Jessica

Hey - thank you for the response! I have had these two turtles for 10 years now and have not seen either of them lay an egg until a few weeks ago. I was really shocked! Now I can stop worrying...

I have four females and have a good deal of familiarity with egg laying. Mine will lay in the water and then eat them. It's best to have a laying box, but it's tricky to get them used to it.

They don't start laying eggs until they become mature, perhaps 5 - 7 years old.

Yes, they lay eggs without males around to fertilize them---just like chickens lay the eggs we eat without a rooster. Like all animals, they ovulate and produce eggs even without being fertilized.