Reptile & Amphibian Forums

okay I think we got ripped off, My son who had been raising rabbits for 3 years decided to breed box turtles ( with mommies help of course) So we looked around for breeders and saw a breeder offering a good deal, 2 females 1 male all breeding age.

She told us the females were gravid and due to lay eggs in 2 weeks.

Well it is over 2 weeks and no eggs, She also neglected to tell us about a gash in 1 of the female's shell. She said it was a breeding wound when we talked to her about it. But after sharing pictures of it. WE know that is not true.

Now my son is very broken hearted about this whole thing.. He was very excited about the turtles getting ready to lay eggs. But that doesn't seem to be happening.

What should I do about this?

-Boxxie

How did the previous owner know that they were about to lay? Did she see them breed? Because female box turtles can hold sperm up to 3 years and not use it.

The only sure way to tell if a female is carrying eggs is to palpate her. Place a finger in between her back leg and the shell(see arow in picture) and feeling for a little piont. You will be feeling the tip of the egg. If you feel it, then she should lay within days. Are you keeping them outside or inside? If they are not happy woth their surroundings, they may not lay.

the pic did not come through

I am not sure how she knew they would be laying eggs.

-Boxxie

One way to tell if a female is about ready to lay eggs is in her behavior. She will be extremely active especially in the late afternoon when most turtles tend to sleep, she will seem restless, and not lazy like most turtles. Also box turtles get depressed inside and will become very unhappy, and most likely will not lay her eggs if she finds the area unsuitable. If I were you I would contruct an outdoor enclosure with wood. I did this with my box turtles years ago and have found that the turtle become much happier(hold there head higher more active etc.) If you need any suggestion on how to make it let me know.
Chris

Hi,
What happens if they have eggs but do not lay? Will she be ok? Is there something that can be done to encourage them to lay? The reason I ask is that my turtle layed one egg but I believe I feel more in there. Thanks for any help.
Charles

LETS TRY AGAIN.

I felt for what you said. There is nothing in there I guess we got taken by this "Breeder"

Well time for me to let me son know. He will be hurt, But there isn't much I can do I can't afford to buy any more right now.

-Boxxie

With patience, luck, and good husbandry, your female will probably not disappoint you next year.
Turn the situation into a valuable learning experience, and take advantage of the chance to do some more reading, and to gather more information about box turtles.
Above all, Caveat Emptor, or Buyer Beware.

Her reasoning behind saying that the turtle was due to lay in two weeks could be this. Box turtles lay their eggs in clutches alot. For instance one of my females laid 3 eggs on the 6th of june, three eggs on the 6th of july, and three more yesterday. As you can see the clutches where a exactly a month apart. Maybe the turtle had laid a clutch two weeks earlier and therefore was due to lay another a month later(or two weeks from when she said). I would say that the change of enviroment and surroundings caused her not to lay the next clutch. Don't worry though with two females you will have good odds getting a clutch next year. And will be guarenteed of one if you place the turtle early next spring in an outdoor enclosure. Good Luck

Mine don't lay second and third clutches on any reliable timetable, if at all: last year one produced her second clutch 2 weeks after the first: this year, a month later.
Another produced only one clutch.
None of mine have produced third clutches.
Its terrific that yours are reproducing so well: that isn't necessarily the norm, though.
Stephanie

You're so lucky. Mine only lay single clutches. Not only that, but if I brought them in doors for the winter, they do not lay eggs. They have to hibernate for the winter. My first clutch of three just hatched on 08/09/04. They hatched in record time... 53 days. I actually watched her lay eggs on 06/17/04 at 8:15am. My second clutch from another female laid 4 eggs on 06/22/04 at 8:30 pm. I expect them to hatch on 08/22/04 - but I may get lucky and maybe they will hatch next week. I know I have at least 2 - 3 more clutches from other females around the yard. Just don't know where they were laid. Wish I could retrieve the pictures I took from my other computer so I could share them with everyone. If anyone could help me get my other computer (that crashed from a virus) working again, I can probably retrieve and share the pictures I have of one of the females "actually" laying an egg. Harry