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Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:14 pm **RES Turtle Nesting: What am I doing wrong?**

I have a 6 year old RES (red eared slider). I recently made the discovery that I have had her for 3 years and never realize she was female. I was under the assumption that I had a male RES. Now that I have noticed some weird behavior, I have looked into it a bit. She's swimming frantically in her tank. When she walks around she scratches at the tile floor and carpet with her back legs. Like she's got an itch she can't scratch. She has had but one feeder fish to eat in a week. I have given her pellets, shrimp, veggies. She won't eat any of it. When I looked it up, the signs point to her carrying and wanting to lay eggs. But when I made a nest in a plastic container and place her in it she stops digging. I understand she's not comfortable in the container and she rather lay her eggs in my carpet, but I don't think that would be good for either of us. Please, any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Try to feel for the eggs:

steve wrote:

They might not like to be held when you try to feel for eggs. What I did was have my turtle in a dry dock area, which is about the size of a twin bed. Wait for her to stop exploring, moving around, etc., then gently use your finger to feel for it.

As for sand, I guess play sand would do, but real dirt helps too. Dirt is usually the top layer, I don't know if a sand-only nest will work. That's tough considering the time of year. Having the male in there greatly increases the odds of her being gravid. After I separated my pair, my female RES has not been gravid.

Do you live somewhere warm enough for to nest outdoors?

I have a her in 50/50 play sand and top soil. I went through and got as many of the large sticks and such as I could to make it smoother for her. Last night I put her back in the tank. She was behaving normal, ate a little, basked for a long while, and wasn't begging to get out. Early this morning she was begging to get out again and I put her back in the nest. She has dug a bit behind herself, but hasn't made any progress past that. Going to try to give her some space today. Just so worried about her being egg bound. The vet says it is 80 for an x-ray, but that it is possible the eggs will be too transparent to see. Not too sure about that, but eh, he's the vet... I did try to feel for eggs and she wasn't having it. How long should I give her before taking her in for an x-ray? Oh and we live in Austin, TX. The weather here changes by the hour sometimes. I live in an apartment, the grounds are their's and I don't think I would be allowed to let her do that out there.

Did she dig with her hind feet? I think the eggs show up easily, I haven't heard of them being "too transparent". Most people just wait and hope their turtles lay eggs in the water or somewhere else. It couldn't hurt to ask them... provided they keep the grounds clean. Or maybe a friend/family member will have an area for you to try.

I checked both sides and felt a slight bump. Don't know if it's an egg or I'm tickling her bladder...

If you actually feel something, then it's probably eggs.

She's been acting okay. In her tank again. She won't let him near her. She's been sleeping, basking, eating, and giving me dirty looks like she was before. Don't know if it's a false alarm or if she needs more time. Just worried about her retaining more than anything.

Just checked all the soil and sand. Accidentally scooped one out. There are four others in the same area. Not sure if they are fertile though. She didn't even tell me. Not that she would... :p

So the nest worked? *Yea!* If she is kept away from a male, the eggs will be infertile. If she's young and this is one of her first clutches, it probably won't be a very healthy one.

She is about 6 years old. Last I measure about a month ago, she was 8 1/2 inches by 9 1/2. She had five eggs all together. Not sure if the two ever hooked up. Didn't see for myself. But he sure tried. He is a little over 4 inches. I believe this is her first, but can't fathom terminating any of the eggs. I had a hard time breaking the one I had to throw away. Thank you for all of your help and any future advice I get from you or this forum.

They're likely fertile, but it would be wise to dispose of them.

She laid a tiny one in the tank this morning. Not sure if anymore are on the way. Have some who has an extra tank and going to separate them.

Update: My Judy is on her forth clutch. Having some issues deciding where to lay, but I think she'll get over it when she is restless enough to let them go. As for the first clutch, one of the three has a dent and isn't showing any signs of movement inside, might not hatch. The other two are large and round, there was movement in both up until the 7th week. Going to wait another couple of weeks to see if I have grandchildren. Depending on if they hatch, one is already promised to my sister-in-law who is a teacher. Any others will become part of my clan and will be well taken care of like their parents.

How many has she laid in total? And that four clutches since February?

She's laid 20 total. Kept, 3 from the 1st, 2 from the 2nd, and 3 from the 3rd. Not expecting all of them to hatch though. The 3rd looks infertile. Not showing any signs of growth. And yes, 4th since the 24th of February.

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