General Care Discussion :: when to anticipate eggs?

[scriabin]

I have two adopted female RES, about 4 inches (what's the ballpark age for that size? I don't know how old they are.)

I understand that even without a male they *might* (?) become gravid with eggs from time to time?

I've read the site's info on this and I'm curious about a couple things -

1. How likely is it that one or both of them will become gravid at some point in their lives? Guaranteed? Once in a Blue Moon?

2. At about what age/length should I start looking out for this?

3. Do I understand correctly there's nothing to be done until I identify that a female is gravid, THEN I create a separate nesting area and let her spend some time there every day until she lays?

Thanks!

Jonathan

[packfan1]

I have three females and if I understand correctly, they start to act abnormal. They may not ea as often, even their fav. treats, not bask as much and always act like they are trying to escape. If basking and you see clawing/digging motion with mainly the back legs as well.
One call feel on the inside of the rear legs and if you feel something like a grape then most likely gravid. I would guess like many animals and from what I have read spring would be the more typical time for this to occur.
I have also read that it may happen more often with res in captivity, not sure if this is more or less if males are present as well.
There are others here that have delt with this as well as more knowledgeable than I that can better answer this question, but the above is what I have read to questions and interest about gravid and turtles having babies.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Females will likely become gravid once per year at least for a few years. After that, they seem to go dormant. With no male present, the eggs won't be fertile and they won't lay as often.

Without having them from the time they hatched, you cannot know how old they are, but 4" is about one year old if they had a perfectly normal life. They should start to lay eggs around 5" or so.

You can set up a nest within the tank to use, but other than that, you wait until they are gravid and let them nest.

[scriabin]

Thanks!

It's also fine to set up an external nesting area (i.e. a box with soil?) - it doesn't have to be in the tank?

[megcornell]

That (a nesting site) is actually preferred. Turtles' natural instincts are to lay eggs in the ground. If not given the chance, some turtles will refuse to lay eggs and they can become bound inside the turtle and will require veterinary attention. Other turtles will eventually lay eggs in water, but it's very stressful for them and given the chance of egg binding complications it's much wiser to just give them a nest box or a spot outside to lay.

[SpenceMasta]

its been 11 years since i had my turtle and im still waiting for eggs, they never came! the turtle doesnt seem to mind, shes quite healthy and content

[MikeReda]

...won't lay eggs. My 2 RES, 1 male and 1 female are almost 4 years each. The female is HUGE (at least 10 inches now) but won't lay eggs. I need to rethink my nesting area...it's basically a large storage box with mulch and a light. I did have a plastic paint tray in there with a bit of water, but the turtle just sat in the water most of the time. The guy at the pet store said organic mulch was fine, but I think I need to try the 50/50 mix of sand and compost. In winter though, that stuff is hard to come by in PA. I wish I had 2 males!