Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK - really dumb questions - but I need to know! I have a 5 year old female leopard. About a year ago I sold the male that I had (of course he mounted her all the time). My questions are will the female lay eggs whether a male is present or not? Should I be planning for that at age 5? Could she still lay viable eggs even after the male has been gone a year? Lastly, is egg laying also related to size, not just age? My female is huge - approaching 20lbs and 15 inches.

Thanks, Ben

There are records of female tortoises retaining sperm for as long as 5 years but I believe it is only one account tht keeps getting re-cited. I wouldn't bank on it that long. One year is not too long to expect eggs.

Size is definately the main factor in egg laying. I had a 4 year old Leopard tortoise that laid fertile eggs.

>>OK - really dumb questions - but I need to know! I have a 5 year old female leopard. About a year ago I sold the male that I had (of course he mounted her all the time). My questions are will the female lay eggs whether a male is present or not? Should I be planning for that at age 5? Could she still lay viable eggs even after the male has been gone a year? Lastly, is egg laying also related to size, not just age? My female is huge - approaching 20lbs and 15 inches.
>>
>>Thanks, Ben
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Thanks for reply EJ. One question I still have (in addition to how to prepare for eggs!) is will a female lay eggs eventually even if a male is not present?

Thanks, Ben

I wouldn't count on a female laying eggs if there is no male present. Even with a male there are no certainties.

You can use a rubbermaid shoe box with bed a beast, pearlite, vermiculite or sand.

Moisten 50/50 by weight. Add eggs and place in an area of about 86F or 29 to 30C.

>>Thanks for reply EJ. One question I still have (in addition to how to prepare for eggs!) is will a female lay eggs eventually even if a male is not present?
>>
>>Thanks, Ben
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I have a female kinixys homeana that laid 3 eggs at one time during this past year after 17 years of solo captivity.

That was quite a surprise so it may be a possibility with your tortoise.

scuter

>>I have a female kinixys homeana that laid 3 eggs at one time during this past year after 17 years of solo captivity.
>>
>>That was quite a surprise so it may be a possibility with your tortoise.
>>
>>scuter
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Now THAT would be wild...
Has there been any cases of parthenogenesis in tortoises?

No they did not hatch, i was saying that there is the possibility that a female could lay eggs in the absence of a male even after 17 years.

>>No they did not hatch, i was saying that there is the possibility that a female could lay eggs in the absence of a male even after 17 years.

My point was that females can and sometimes do lay eggs without a male present at all. The longest record bouncing around nowdays is 5 years for fertile eggs being produced after being present with a male.
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care