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Well, this has been kind of a terrible year for us.

It's been great in that we finally got our pen expansions done, and other things are coming along, but as far as breeding goes... blech!

Our cool rainy spring was so unseasonal and I got only one clutch of eggs, three three-toed eggs. Out of those three, two hatched, one runt and one normal. The third died in the egg.

Now our runt has passed. I've been doing this long enough that I shouldn't have been surprised, and normally I'm quite dispassionate about the babies until they are well established, but....
This little guy was the first box turtle in 21 years of keeping them that ever bit me. It bit me, the first thing it saw out of it's egg, and was so full of spunk.
Unfortunately it started the evening before last with the head-bobbing, throat swelling movement that I associate with difficulties breathing, and was dead by morning.
I must admit, this one death made me sad, more than my normal dissapointment at losing an egg or hatchling.

It's just a reminder that these guys are so fragile, and that their survival as a species is not focused on each offspring surviving, like with other animals, but on longevity and repeated clutches over a hundred years. I know all this, but I still am sad at losing this guy who entered the world tiny and disadvantaged, but biting and kicking anyway.

So now we are down to one for the year. Unfortunately this means I won't be giving any offspring away this year, but I have high hopes for next year, so long as the weather is better.

Hey Nathan,

That's too bad out that little one. I've never had one bite me right out of the egg either! That's pretty amazing for a box turtle hatchling.

Well, better luck next year! Maybe we can swap hatchlings if we do better.

Best of luck,

Bill Tracy
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My Turtle Stuff
My Box Turtle Site

Nathan, so sorry about your loss. If its any consulation, I had the cutest little Flavomarginata die - it hatched with most of its egg sack not digested, and I think it absorbed too much water through the sack, and died, as I was trying to keep it moist. Also had a bunch of eggs go bad due to an incubator thermostate not working correctly - it is maddening. I guess the only consulation is that we will have more hatchlings next year, and we can learn from our mistakes. Also, we are giving the wild caught populations a little repreve from collecting. I guess even in captivity you have somewhat of a mortality rate.

BG

I'm so sorry to hear about that little guy, since it made me laugh so much to think of it biting you. Its hard to have your hopes dashed, especially by such a tiny little scrapper.

Next year will no doubt present new opportunities.

Stephanie

I am very sorry and can understand how disapointing
that would be. I was rooting for your "runt", it reminded me of the unusually tiny baby that I had hatch two years ago, the only survivor out of a clutch of 5 eggs.
Have others in your area noticed fewer eggs due to the weather?
My biggest disapointment this year is that the only two ornate eggs that I've had this year don't look like they're going to hatch. Having better luck with the 3 toads, but the ornate situation make me sad, since there won't be any new ornate babies this year. I'll just have to dote on the yearlings, and be thankful for the three toad babies I have.
Anyway, I am sorry for you loss and surely things will be better next year.

Sorry to hear of your news Nathan. I lost one this year as well. I'm also down to one which just pipped yesterday, a Bauri. I'm hopeful that this little girl makes it. She will be my first Florida. The other eggs just didn't do well this year.

Paul

Unlike your girls, mine seemed to like the rain this spring and laid a plenty.

Unfortunately, like you, I lost a hatchling today. He was the first one to hatch (5 days ago). His yolk sack was not absorbed yet, but he seemed to stay still for the most part and it did not rupture. It was almost absorbed when I last checked this morning, and he seemed fine. By lunch, he had died. I have one more that has hatched since him and came out with the yolk already absorbed. He seems to be doing good.

I'm sorry about your little guy. It's always sad, even when you are not already really attached.

Annette.