Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I need some advice. I have a female 3 toed box turtle who we watched start to make her nest last night. I dug at the nest this afternoon to make sure that it is not a false nest--it isn't; we now have at least 6 eggs, maybe more as I did not disturb the eggs to see if some more were buried. I made a small mark on each each egg with a sharpie marker (not moving the eggs at all), and then covered them back up with the mud and dirt that I had removed, packing it loosly on top of the eggs. I then took a metal strainer and placed it over the top of the nest, using nails to secure it down. We have a privacy fenced back yard with an 8 foot fence and with no spaces underneath.

Here is the question: have I done the right things so far and should I leave the eggs to incubate naturally, occ. making sure that the ground is moist? She laid the eggs so that they will have direct sunlight almost all of the time with no to little shade. Or should I make an incubator and bring the eggs inside? If the incubator is the way to go, any suggestions on the best type for the job? I would have to make it, and if any one could suggest a good website with good instructions, that would be great.

Thanks for any and all advice--this website has helped me in the past, and I hope with your help, we can have some healthy box turtle babies!!!

Thanks,

nikki

it's really up to you, though if you choose to bring them in for artificial incubation you dont need to build an incubator or even buy one as long as you have a fridge or even just a countertop(depending on where you are) a tupperware container and some vermiculite, ontop of the fridge is usually a very warm or very HOT place during the summer months, anyway, just moisten the vermiculite so it feels moist not wet, put thumb prints in the vermiculite then rest the eggs in as close to the position you found them in as possible, then find a spot where it's between 75 and 83*, check them about once a week to make sure it's still moist enough and watch for mold, but other than that you should have hatchlings in a few months if they're fertile. good luck whichever way you choose to go!
also just thought I'd add, the container doesn't need airholes atleast not untill the eggs start hatching but you can put airholes in if you want to, just dont over do it else you'll lose your humidity. good luck!
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here's a good incubator suggestion that's pretty simple.

members.aol.com/TheWyvernsLair/incubator.html

decisions, decisions...depends on how comfortable you are with trying to intervene. the mother turtle does the best she can with picking a spot that will offer the closest suitable humidity and temps. but she doesn't have gadgets or the ability to control the environment to do anything about it later. if you think you have learned enough to provide stable conditions, then it's your call.

Mick
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"When tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign foe."

James Madison

For you, it depends on how you feel. I have hatched them both artificially & naturally. Lately, I have been using the home incubation method because I have had other boxies literally move the mesh covering the nest & unintentionally break a couple of eggs while digging. (could also have been a squirrel for all I know) I also do it because I would like to know what sex the hatchlings are AND of course I also feel better knowing they are safer in my house!. But it's great to see them hatch naturally too. (BTW, don't turn them over or disturb them too much.) Just my personal preference. Whatever way you do decide, Good Luck!