Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Speedbump has been doing really well. I was on vacation last week in the Outer Banks, NC so I was unable to post on her progress. While I was gone my parents took care of her and I'm told she was eating well and spent a lot of time basking. When I got home, she actually seemed excited to see me, watching me unpack with that curiosity that box turtles seem to have regarding any new activities.

Unfortunately, her remaining back leg is still very lame and she hasn't been moving around too much. She is now in a large 30 gallon breeder with a mixture of soil and bed-a-beast which she loves to dig into. She also has a hiding log and a large water dish that she soaks in for, at times, hours on end. Eventually she can go outside, but with her lameness she will be an indoor turtle until, at least, next summer. She does get out of her tank and walk around the house every day for exercise.

The eggs seem to be ok. I'm still not sure if they are fertile. I tried candling but all I see is a pink hue. No yolk or embryo or blood vessels. The outside of the egg is a pinkish color, not bright white. Its only been about 2 weeks, so maybe I haven't given the eggs enough time to develop. I have been very careful to keep the eggs at approx 80-85 degrees and they have been kept in moist sphagnum moss. They have not been turned at all or handled very much. They don't feel hard like chicken eggs. They are very rubbery, but firm - and there is no sign of collapse on either egg. They have actually rounded out a little since they were first hatched. I am concerned that they are not fertile since there is no sign of life inside the egg yet. Also, is it possible to keep the eggs too damp? While I was away my father "watered" the eggs every day, not completely soaking the moss, but keeping them very wet - is it possible to rot them by keeping them too moist?
Thanks for the concern regarding my three-legged little buddy

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1.0.0 Jack Russel Terrier: Skipper
0.1.0 Miniature Pinscher: Bambi
1.2.1 Eastern Box Turtles: Dozer, Daisy, Speedbump and Magnum
0.1.0 Red Eared Slider: Rosie

Pretty good news considering Speedbump's recent history!
Thanks for taking the time to write the update. I am sure that there are others who wanted news on her. You seem to be doing a great job with her recovery.
My husband asked that I tell you the name is a good one. About 25 years ago, we had a desert tortoise named Tripod (he was registered.) Somehow he had lost a leg.
Yep, turtle eggs are way different than chicken. I have hatched 4 eggs this summer. Two without any witness, two that I could barely keep from digging up each day.
Mine were not bright white, but they were all laid in the dirt prior to my finding them. The first 2 to hatch were actually found exposed and a bit hard and dry in 1 spot. They seem to get more turgid as they get closer to hatching.
But what I did observe with the latter 2 was a deterioration of the shell, almost like it was rubbing away as it got closer to hatching. Maybe I kept them too wet? I did not candle them. The first egg to hatch started leaking a wee bit from a slight split days prior to hatching. The actual hatching took days.

>>Speedbump has been doing really well. I was on vacation last week in the Outer Banks, NC so I was unable to post on her progress. While I was gone my parents took care of her and I'm told she was eating well and spent a lot of time basking. When I got home, she actually seemed excited to see me, watching me unpack with that curiosity that box turtles seem to have regarding any new activities.
>>
>>Unfortunately, her remaining back leg is still very lame and she hasn't been moving around too much. She is now in a large 30 gallon breeder with a mixture of soil and bed-a-beast which she loves to dig into. She also has a hiding log and a large water dish that she soaks in for, at times, hours on end. Eventually she can go outside, but with her lameness she will be an indoor turtle until, at least, next summer. She does get out of her tank and walk around the house every day for exercise.
>>
>>The eggs seem to be ok. I'm still not sure if they are fertile. I tried candling but all I see is a pink hue. No yolk or embryo or blood vessels. The outside of the egg is a pinkish color, not bright white. Its only been about 2 weeks, so maybe I haven't given the eggs enough time to develop. I have been very careful to keep the eggs at approx 80-85 degrees and they have been kept in moist sphagnum moss. They have not been turned at all or handled very much. They don't feel hard like chicken eggs. They are very rubbery, but firm - and there is no sign of collapse on either egg. They have actually rounded out a little since they were first hatched. I am concerned that they are not fertile since there is no sign of life inside the egg yet. Also, is it possible to keep the eggs too damp? While I was away my father "watered" the eggs every day, not completely soaking the moss, but keeping them very wet - is it possible to rot them by keeping them too moist?
>>Thanks for the concern regarding my three-legged little buddy
>>
>>
>>-----
>>1.0.0 Jack Russel Terrier: Skipper
>>0.1.0 Miniature Pinscher: Bambi
>>1.2.1 Eastern Box Turtles: Dozer, Daisy, Speedbump and Magnum
>>0.1.0 Red Eared Slider: Rosie
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Patsy

Haha, tell your husband I said thank you. Actually, I came up with the name at the vet's office. When I was filling out the paperwork, I left the name blank since I didn't have the intention of keeping her. But the receptionist said they needed a name so I blurted out "Speed bump". I guess I can be creative under pressure

This morning I looked at the eggs and the tops of them are sort of denting in. I'm worried that they are collapsing and therefore infertile. How long do you think I should wait until I discard them? As I said, I'm not 100% that they are infertile.
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1.0.0 Jack Russel Terrier: Skipper
0.1.0 Miniature Pinscher: Bambi
1.2.1 Eastern Box Turtles: Dozer, Daisy, Speedbump and Magnum
0.1.0 Red Eared Slider: Rosie

I'd say you work well under pressure.Most people would not have been able to keep her.
SOOO where are all the know it alls???
Until they get done doing their summer BT chores, here is my puny advice: keep em moist, leave em alone at least for a few months.
The worst thing that could happen would be a conversation maker with your visitors...???
good luck, Just noticed your choice of dogs. We have a fox and he is so neurotic that he injures himself jumping!

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>>This morning I looked at the eggs and the tops of them are sort of denting in. I'm worried that they are collapsing and therefore infertile. How long do you think I should wait until I discard them? As I said, I'm not 100% that they are infertile.
>>-----
>>1.0.0 Jack Russel Terrier: Skipper
>>0.1.0 Miniature Pinscher: Bambi
>>1.2.1 Eastern Box Turtles: Dozer, Daisy, Speedbump and Magnum
>>0.1.0 Red Eared Slider: Rosie
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Patsy