General Care Discussion :: Gravid female question

[JimmyJam]

I posted in someones thread asking if there is a deffinate indicator to tell if females are gravid. I had no reply so that's why I made this thread. But yea, any 100% positive indications they are gravid would be awesome. I have noticed while we are home she is always frantically swimming trying to get out of the cage, then she'll calm down for a while. I did recently upgrade her to a temporary 45 gal tank and still planning to build an ATBA.

Also, if anyone can find that tank dimension link that tells you how big your tank actually is would be cool. I ask this because the lady that sold me the tank said it was a 45 gal, but when at the fish stores nearby I noticed my "45 gal" looks a bit bigger.

[Chrisbarnett]

Take your tank measurements. then just do Length x Width x Height, then divide by 231. gives exact gallonage.

The only real factors that I know of are frantically trying to get out, and if you feel eggs in front or behind the back legs.. not sure which.

[Squishy]

The eggs would be in front of the hind legs. That round part behind the legs is turtle bum.

You want to feel gently, in case the shells are weak. You don't want an egg to break inside of her.

[megcornell]

The only way to tell 100% is to get an xray. Everything else just speculates.
The frantic trying to escape is a good sign of be her gravid.

Have you tried offering a nest site?

[JimmyJam]

Thanks for the insight guys. Only problem I have with her, is when I do pick her up she clams herself up super tight, so it will be hard to check if I feel anything there.

As for offering her a nest site, I'll try to take her to a park tomorrow and let her walk around in the sand to see if that sparks something in her. My current living situation doesn't allow me to just let her go in the backyard.

Edit: Just checked my tank for it's proper gallonage... and the dang formula told me it's only 37.4 gallons I guess it's still better than a 10 gallon tank for now anyways.