Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a male ornate I got about ten years ago in Kansas (I'm in CA). I've had easterns years ago, but they didn't fare well. The ornate thrives in the 10 by 11 foot outdoor pen with a pond, creek, and whatnot. I keep my eyes open for ornates at the local pet shop, but they are always three-toeds.
Well, Sunday the first, I found a shop with ornates, and I bought two females. At a different pet shop today, two crushed eggs were in the tank with the three-toed boxies.
So, my question is, is it likely that either of my females is also gravid still (maybe the shipping and stress delays laying?), and if so, can I tell? If its likely, I'll keep a close eye on any digging in the pen.
Thanks for any help!

Yes, you can! It can be difficult with box turtles though because they can close up. You can stick your finger in the soft part between the back leg and the shell. Not betweet the back leg and the tail. If she is gravid, you will be able to feel a "point" the tip of the egg. Good luck.

May I also suggest you put a pink "rubber" eraser next to your finger so if she does close down, and she likely will, you will have the eraser there to protect your finger, lol! I use a side to side rocking motion to feel if any eggs are in the turtle's canal. Also behaviors before a turtle is ready to lay eggs will change. For example, they will start to pace around the pen and sniff the ground, and will stop eating up to a week before laying. Good luck!
-----
Tess
Kingsnake.com Forum Host

Thanks to everyone for the advise. Since they are new, behavior changes aren't particularly useful now, but they will be next year maybe. I felt the areas mentioned and I don't think either female is gravid.
I'm interested in their origens as well. They are both brightly colored compared to my thinly lined Kansas male. The two females were in a shipment with three-toeds. Anyone know of particular states they are likely from? The larger female has a 5.25 inch shell length.

On a side note, my male ornate is much more active and aggressive than any of the 4 easterns and three-toeds I've kept in the past. He will attack any non-turtle moving object, including feet, fingers, mice, cats, dogs, or whatever else enters his world. He will balance on his hind legs to get a pinky, and then run around the enclosure paradeing it around before settling down to eat it. If he's chasing something, he will pursue it vigorously until the moment it moves out of sight, then behaves is as if it never existed.
Is this kind of behavior unique to ornates?

>>I have a male ornate I got about ten years ago in Kansas (I'm in CA). I've had easterns years ago, but they didn't fare well. The ornate thrives in the 10 by 11 foot outdoor pen with a pond, creek, and whatnot. I keep my eyes open for ornates at the local pet shop, but they are always three-toeds.
>>Well, Sunday the first, I found a shop with ornates, and I bought two females. At a different pet shop today, two crushed eggs were in the tank with the three-toed boxies.
>>So, my question is, is it likely that either of my females is also gravid still (maybe the shipping and stress delays laying?), and if so, can I tell? If its likely, I'll keep a close eye on any digging in the pen.
>>Thanks for any help!

You can alsoget a Xrayfrom a vet.
-----
3.3 Leopard Geckos
2.0.1 Green Tree Pythons
1.1 Rosy Boas
2.3 Russian Tortoises
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.3 Three Toe Box
0.0.2 Leopard Tortoises
1.0 Malayan Leaf Turtle
1.0 Bearded
0.0.1 Red Foot Tortoise