Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My female 3-toed is sort of digging with her hind legs, moving herself backwards. Normally, she will use her front limbs to dig when she wants to burrow. This was a bit unusual so could it be that she is digging a nest to lay eggs?
She seemed to be taking her precious time as well.
How long until she actually "pops" out those eggs, if they are in fact eggs?

Thanks!

Female box turtles dig their nests with their back legs & the process can take a few hours. The actual egg laying takes place relatively quickly (in comparison to digging): mine lay between 4-6 eggs within 1/2 hr., during which time each egg is carefully positioned. Then, re-covering the nest can take a few more hours.
All of this is done using hind legs only.
Not all of mine tolerate being watched during this process, so I try to be discreet. I don't want to interrupt their hard work.
Stephanie

yup!

Beware though, my gals have been tricky this year, making test holes over and over and over and over. I just mark their spot in the evening (mentally) and check them after dark again to see if they moved or finished. Then I check one or both of those spots (if they moved after dark, they usually won't move again, but will wait till the next night). Caught all but 3 of my ladies this year. The sneaks may seem like a lot at 3, but considering the amount I caught nesting, it works well for us.