Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What are some good physical indicators that a female slider is ready to lay eggs. I've kept a male and a female for about 2 months now and he did the mating dance thing and was on top of her for a little while as soon as set up their terrarium. I read that after 3 weeks she can lay eggs, but can hold them up to 3 years? I am only 75% positive which one is female. I've put what I thought was the female in a some moist soil twice and nothing happened. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

JEFF
1.1 RED EAR SLIDERS (HAROLD & EUGENE)
1.1 BEARDED DRAGONS (LUCKY & HISSY)
1.1 AMERICAN TOADS
1.1 FIRE BELLIED TOADS
1.1 TREE FROGS I CAUGHT OUTSIDE
0.0.1 GREEN TREE FROG
0.0.1 ASIAN TREE FROG
0.0.1 LITTLE FROG I CAUGHT OUTSIDE
1.0 RETICULATED PYTHON (MONTY)
1.1 CHIHUAHUA (ARNOLD & LUCY)
1.1 CATS (HULK & MIGHTY MOUSE)

first off you need to know which turtle is the female. the male will have long claws for the dance before the mate. he also will have a thicker tail and maybe smaller depending on the ages of your two sliders. second i hope u have a basking area for them. you will see the female slider sniffing around looking for a good place to lay her eggs. when you see this you know shes is ready to lay. how long did you leave the female in the soil? and make sure its not potting soil because they will kill the eggs.
nathan

Also keep on eye on her eating habits. If she all of a sudden refuses to eat for a few feedings in a row, that might be a good indication that she ready to lay.

After you put her in the soil, distance yourself. She won't lay if she's nervous or feels threatned.

Devin

You can feel for eggs by "poking" her in between her back leg and shell, feel around, if you feel any points, then you have eggs.