I have a few questions. One or maybe more of my box turtles laid eggs in about 4 1/2 inches of dirt in there cage. Is that ok to leave them there and they will hatch or should I move them? Second I accidently moved one of the eggs and turned it over, will that effect the turtle at all? And last, would it be ok to take the eggs out and put them in another container with dirt?
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Box Turtle Eggs?
djrichyrich
Jul 14, 2005 12:53 AM
Replies (1)
StephF
Jul 14, 2005 11:16 AM
It would probably be OK to leave them there, if there's no chaance that the adults could dig/burrow in to the nest, and if you don't have predators that might make a meal of the eggs. Should the hatchlings emerge in the pen, the adult turtles could concievably eat them, too.
I've heard of people using a number of different media for incubating eggs: anyhing from peat moss, sphagnum moss, potting soil, vermiculite, and yard dirt. Probably the most popular is vermiculite.
Rolling a turtle egg is not good, but if it was laid very recently (12hrs or less) than you may not have harmed it: depending on who you ask, that time frame may vary.
Stephanie
