Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone tell me whether there are signs that indicate a female tortoise is willing to mate. If you know signs of female tort refusing to mate, please also share, since I'm basically blank in this area.

If she doesn't want to, is there any way to change that situation, ways other than separating the two sexes?

Info on redfoot would be most valuable, but informative lectures on behaviors of other torts are also highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance to whose who share their knowledge.

Joe

When she breaks out the fish net stockings and talks to him in that sultry tone you know she wants it...

Finding a fish net stockings in the first place for a lady tort could be tough, though. lol

Ed, more real tort details, please.

Joe

I'm sorry Joe, I can't believe i said something so stupid... It was funny though.
The point is (and there was a point) that it is basically impossible to say when a female tort is 'ready'. We are talking reptiles here. Females are cold enough in this area and reptiles are even colder.(sorry, couldn't pass that one up either)
Ed

I know is tough these days, especially when you don't have a tortoise house, a fancy tortmobile and and stable tort-show job... Good things may never happen to the poor Mr. tort.

But since there are so many babies produced, I wonder what happens before the conception... Guess even the coldest blood gets boiled occasionally. Can you tell when they are not so cold?

Joe

I just got some Pyxis eggs... never expected and some leopard tortoise eggs... never expected.
I've got Ball Pythons mating for the last 2 weeks (daily) and can't figure why... Maybe there is someone out there that know better but I can't give you a hint.
Ed

The females certainly hold the cards. Another thing that is a mystery... you may be holding a female that is on the cusp (size-wise) of maturity, but when she is actually 'ready' is a bit of a lottery. For example, in Moskovits study of redfoots she observed mock mating in animals that were 8" however only witnessed sucessful matings in animals at 11". Thats about a 5 year difference timewise (est).

Captive populations of course can be completely different.

I know several folks that keep breeding groups of redfoots and they all claim that environmental conditions definitely affect the behavior of their animals. They usually see the most breeding when the temps are high & moist. Torts that are kept indoors don't usually have these variable conditions which is why many keepers eventually build outdoor habitats. If the temps are moderate in your habitat, this can affect the outcome.

Lots to think about...I know

Paul