Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 5 Egyptian Tortoises. Two males that I have had 6 years (bought as Hatchlings). One female I purchased last year (approx 5 years. Two 1 1/2 year juveniles. I believe one is a male and one a female. The 2 juveniles were purchased from Dan Wolfe, who no longer breeds them.

I have a great enclosure that was just built. It is a 3-tiered enclosure One for the female, one for the males, one for the juveniles. Each enclosure is 2ft wide x 4 ft long. I lined each one with oyster shell (crushed) and they seem to like it well enough. I would if I was a tortoise.

I am hoping to breed the female with the males. I had the adults together for a month while the enclosures were being built but they are now separated. I tried to hibernate them but only lasted for 3 weeks as the female kept waking and I didn't want to take a chance on starving her. I began feeding them again and they are now separated in their separate enclosures and doing fine.

Has anyone had any luck breeding egyptians? When I first got the female, I had her in with the males but nothing happened. I'd like to know when a good time would be for me to put them together to breed since I am not hibernating them. Thanks. Pati

Egyptians do not hibernate.

If there was a 'key' as to what triggers the egyptian to breed I don't think Dan would have sold off his group if he knew.

Egyptians are tough animals to figure out.

I'd suggest you do some research and see if you can try something different.

I found the most successfull breeders are in the NE US. They keep them indoors 24/7.

Feel free to email me if you need help on the research material and I'll be glad to help.

I've hatched out about 65 including 4 albinos and I couldn't give you a 'key'.

One 'key' I can give you is 'patience'. These are not snakes or lizards. Acclimation can take years.

>>I have 5 Egyptian Tortoises. Two males that I have had 6 years (bought as Hatchlings). One female I purchased last year (approx 5 years. Two 1 1/2 year juveniles. I believe one is a male and one a female. The 2 juveniles were purchased from Dan Wolfe, who no longer breeds them.
>>
>>I have a great enclosure that was just built. It is a 3-tiered enclosure One for the female, one for the males, one for the juveniles. Each enclosure is 2ft wide x 4 ft long. I lined each one with oyster shell (crushed) and they seem to like it well enough. I would if I was a tortoise.
>>
>>I am hoping to breed the female with the males. I had the adults together for a month while the enclosures were being built but they are now separated. I tried to hibernate them but only lasted for 3 weeks as the female kept waking and I didn't want to take a chance on starving her. I began feeding them again and they are now separated in their separate enclosures and doing fine.
>>
>>Has anyone had any luck breeding egyptians? When I first got the female, I had her in with the males but nothing happened. I'd like to know when a good time would be for me to put them together to breed since I am not hibernating them. Thanks. Pati
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

EJ, Do you keep the males and females separated? If so, when do you put them together?

Pati

I keep them together 24/7. That could be my mistake but I'm not really trying to breed them. I pretty much leave them to their own.

>>EJ, Do you keep the males and females separated? If so, when do you put them together?
>>
>>Pati
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I too had a colony of Egyptians and found them a very enjoyable species, however very difficult to breed. I live in CA and for me the key to breeding activity was to put the colony outside for the day (with adequate protections in place)in an outdoor pen and I swear it was like a light switch that turned on the breeding behavior. Alas, I only had one egg deposited that ended up being infertile out of my sole female. Out of need, I sold (and donated) the colony to more appropriate keepers who I trust will be more successful.

A few suggestions:
Do not hibernate them!
Keep the female separate from the males until your ready to breed them. For me this period was from July through the end of September, but Im in CA. Like I said above, putting them outside turned on the switch.
EJ is a great resource, continue to prod him for information.
E-mail me privately and I'll give you another resource at a university that would be good to contact. tobykanobe@charter.net

Hope this helps, any specific questions can be directed to me at the above posted e-mail.

Tortuga

I cant even find a egyptian. Do any of you know where to find some. Any know where there for adoption. I had one along time back but now i cant find any.

I wish they would become as readily available as Russians are this summer because they are such cool critters!

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I got six eggs this year, but they don't seem to be fertile. One even layed an egg while eating her breakfast. Unfortunately it was broken when I realised.