Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How long are three toed box turtles usually gravid? I have had her since last may and she laid 3 eggs 7 weeks after the first mating. But this girl started gaining weight in December. That just seems kinda long. I didn't hibernate becuase they never went under ground and they ate all winter long. Breeding even accured almost every day from April to the end of may. But about the female, I'm going to try to set up and apointment for friday or saturday.What do yall think.

I couldn't say for sure, but when in doubt, a vet visit is a good idea.

I'll set up an apointment for this weekend. I hope all goes well! What do they do if she is egg bound?

Well, a vet would have to determine if she should be allowed to lay normally, be given oxytocin to induce laying (both of these require that the eggs not be bound in such a way they can not be released), or worst case, to require surgical removal (this can be done by opening turtle or attempting to puncture and drain and remove eggs via the cloaca I believe, neither is a well documented practice and I don't know that either is very safe).

If she has fully formed and shelled eggs, and has had them for quite some time, probably the route would be to try oxytocin and see if it helps.

I called the vets today and they said they were booked on Sat. So she is going to be dropped-off on Monday Morning and they are going to call me when they get the results. We will pick her up at the end of the day. I wanted to be there when they were giving her the x-ray and stuff but I have work. Reptile vets are xpensive!!!! They are going to charge me 35$ for the check-up and 75$ for the x-ray. Do they let you keep the x-rays? Do any of you know if the vet schools will charge you less if you have them do it?

Depending on where you live, a three-toed box turtle can have 2 or 3 clutches. As for how long they can be gravid before laying, that can be a long time too! Turtles that are housed indoors can retain their eggs for months. The eggs are retain because the turtle doesn't have egg laying sites to choose from. Yes, a visit to the vet is in order. Xrays will show how large and calcified the eggs are and in what position the eggs are in the ovi duct. Good luck!
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Tess
Kingsnake.com Forum Host

What are they going to look for in the x-ray? Can the eggs be too big for her to lay them? I can feel 2 bumps on each side of her when I palpate her. But I am going to bring her to the vet on Sat. I hope all goes well.

I don't think they can be too big, but sometimes eggs will form and be joined, creating a big solid too large to pass, or two eggs can somehow cram into the oviduct in such a way that they are wedged in and blocking any others from releasing.