Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I think my female box turtle is due to lay eggs in a couple weeks. I'd like to segregate her from the male into her own enclosure where she'd feel comfortable to dig deep down.

What sort of soil should I use?

Thanks!

Are they outdoors or indoors? Loamy topsoil is probably the best.... easy to dig in, but not too fluffy.

>>Hi,
>>
>>I think my female box turtle is due to lay eggs in a couple weeks. I'd like to segregate her from the male into her own enclosure where she'd feel comfortable to dig deep down.
>>
>>What sort of soil should I use?
>>
>>Thanks!
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Greg
http://greg978.tripod.com/

I don't know that the composition is too important, but I have had girls that refused to lay (even though the looked to be in distress and were searching) until I packed down the soil really hard so it would stay formed while they dug. If it kept collapsing in the hole they would give up.

One of my gals laid in the hardest sunbaked clay spot in our yard one year. It took her most of the night, but she did it.

Myself I now keep a mound of sandy soil hard packed down.

I suggest not making too many special arrangements. Let her do it where she is. Mine lay in regular woodsy type soil. I do try to create a slightly moist feel if it's been dry. I find that if you watch them carefully, they will but their noses down on the ground feeling texture and perhaps sunlight exposure. If you can, create something as natural as possible. In my area, NC, they will just put their eggs less than 4 inches down. I have turtles that lay in nearly the same spot from year to year in my simple outdoor habitat.