General Care Discussion :: Nesting Outside

[Lucky and Lucy Tortuga]

I have a RES female (LUCY) who is having eggs soon. The last time I brought her up to my mom's turtle enclosure she immediately started digging and plopping out eggs. This time around I think she is not yet due. But it's stressful for me and her to travel the 20 minutes each way to my mom's from my apartment tank....

my question is... can I leave her here over night? will she get too cold? I'm in LA and it's summer. the night air is not too bad. she has a choice of two turtle houses (converted dog houses) to seek shelter and sleep in... should she be put in water every so often?

[marisa]

Could she escape? Are there predators (you'd be surprised even in urban areas)? She really should be able to hydrate herself if she wants to.

[steve]

When she exhibits nesting signs, that would be the time to get her to a nesting spot. Try to look for what time of day she wants to do it. If its always roughly the same time, you might be able to get her there (or somewhere else) in time.