General Care Discussion :: Nesting Habitat for RES

[katsen]

Hello, I just noticed my RES, Bertle, Laid 3-4 eggs. I wasn't expecting this and was not ready for it. I found a whole egg and a few broken eggs at the bottom of the tank. Her home is a 75 gal. tank with river stone for a bottom cover. I was always afraid of the little pebbles in fear she would swallow them. Anyway, there is about 50 to 60 gals. of water and a basking shelf. I need help in creating a nesting site for her so she will lay the rest of her eggs if she has anymore. how many should I be expecting? I have had her for about 4-5 years. I saved her from the chinese on Canal St. in NYC. She is the best turtle and I want to make sure she has the proper habitat. Any help will be appreciated. Katsen

[megcornell]

Hello, it's impossible to tell how many eggs your turtle will lay. She may lay them all at once or spread them out into a few sessions... one turtle on here has been gravid four times this summer... it's really an individual trait.
As for the nesting site, here's a link on nesting info:
http://www.redearslider.com/reproduction.html

Also, here's a link on creating "natural-esque" conditions for gravid turtles:
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Nestsites.htm

Place her in the nesting site anytime she seems antsy and is trying to escape the tank- that's a good sign that she wants to get out to lay eggs. You can leave her out a few hours, it may take her a while to feel safe and comfortable.

Finally, here's a link to one of the other topics about gravid females:
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... ht=#108509

Good Luck!

[katsen]

Thanks, I need to know what type of material to use for her to nest in. Should I use the substrate or something else? Also, should I put her in a plastic tub? Katsen