Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, my projects are coming along slowly. I've got the new pens going in at a decent rate. So far I've got most of the exterior walls up and now when the rain lets up I can start on the interior dividers, then do the rails and decking. After that it's landscaping then digging the pond for the spotteds/woods. Lots of work to do, but at this rate I should have it all done inside a month.

I've linked some photos of my pen progress below.

This weekend I also moved out our '02 hatchling into the youngster pen. Yesterday evening in a cool drizzle he was piled into the food dish with the other 8 youngsters (who are all about twice his size) and he was holding his own grubbing it up on some cauliflower, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, red bell pepper, brocolli, and cooked turkey. The photo is of him right before moving outdoors. He was out and about in the cool rain this morning with some of the others.

photo album of new pen progress

I palped all my ladies. They should be feeling by now, with normal laying time just two-three weeks away. Out of nine female box turtles (3-three-toed, 6-eastern) that are adult size, I have ONE three-toed female feeling. She's got at least two, I suspect three, and they are ready to lay. Otherwise my gals seem to be taking the year off. Disappointing, but hey, everyone needs a vacation.

I wonder if our massive continuous rainfall has had anything to do with it. We are many many inches over normal for rain and the temps are going from super high too unseasonably cool as the storms pass through every few days.

Ah well, next year is right around the corner and who knows, maybe I'll get some late clutches from the other 8 ladies.

I was thinking just the opposite about the egg laying (although it was just a guess- no real back up). I have 3 girls,1 of which laid eggs the last week in June last year. This year all 3 laid eggs last week! They have been much more active this spring, and I was thinking it was because of the rainfall (I am in NC too).

I don't think it will ever stop raining. We were at the beach last week when they laid their eggs (ofcourse). My mother came over in the evenings and watched them, so we have the spots marked, but have not dug them up yet b/c of the rain last night and today (just got home last night).

Your new pens are going to be great!

Annette

well... I suppose I could just be having a bad year. I did get a lot of eggs the last two years, so I guess that's okay. The new pens will have nesting mounds in them to provide a bit more variety. We'll see if they like that or use it or not.

yes, this weather is getting old.. isn't it?