Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a 3 year old red ear slider, she currently lives with a male of the same age, and over the last few years they both have been trying to mate? Odd I know but maybe they are just practicing =) Like we do.

Anyway over the last few weeks shes looked like she trying to find somewhere to dig a nest, and this morning she was on her basking rock and her hide legs where moving togeather like she is trying to push sand etc. Now I've watched discovery channel enough to have been able to see large turtles in the wild giving birth?

So my question is to anyway who breeds these turtles, is she giving us the signs she needs a bedding area and if so whats a good way of doing it etc, we would hopefully want to keep the baby turtles if possible.

Thanks All

Those are signs of wanting to lay eggs. There are ways to tell if she is carrying eggs. It is just best to provide her with an area to dig in and lay eggs. (a tub with some clean damp topsoil and play sand mixed together) (are there better substrates to use? anyone?) There are tons of sliders around and bringing more into the world is not really necessary -- still the excitement of seeing this whole process unfold is neat.
Before you actually do make the decision to incubate any eggs that may get laid be sure that you can provide good homes for them in advance.

If she lays let us know and someone here can assist you with incubation procedures.