General Care Discussion :: Restless turtle!

[Paddyman89]

My res has been really really restless the past couple days, she keeps trying to get out of the tank.

I feel its time she needs a nesting area! I need help on building one, My idea is a big Tupperware container like a ruppermaid container. And filling it with soil.

What else do I need and any ideas to make this connected to her tank.

Shes 5 inches currently and is in a 75 gallon tank that has a above tank basking area.

[hill]

She may be trying to find a place to lay her eggs. Can you feel them? Try and feel in front of her rear legs. Good Luck!

[Paddyman89]

I bought myself a 30 gallon tub and filled it about 7 inches deep with sand. I bought another heat lamp to go no the tub as well, but not another uvb light.

Should I just leave her in there or what? When shes in there she gets sand all over her mouth and head and keeps trying to get out.

[steve]

Put her in there when she is acting restless and she might act like this around the same time of day. Most people don't have any luck with these tubs, I hope you have some success.

[Paddyman89]

then how do I get her to lay her eggs!

[steve]

You have to try what you can... do you think you have a suitable area outdoors?

[Chazz]

My female turtle has been doing the same thing! She lives alone though, could she still be trying to get out to lay eggs?

[Paddyman89]

Not really here in az all of my backyard is rock and the place that there isnt rock the dirt is really really hard. I have grass in my front yard with softer soil but that ants are crazy in my front yard haha.

[steve]

You'll have a much greater chance of success with an outdoor nesting area... I would try to moisten and loosen an area in the yard for her.

[squirt!]

Good luck! I had this question too... just want to be prepared in case!

[Listen97]

Not really here in az all of my backyard is rock and the place that there isnt rock the dirt is really really hard. I have grass in my front yard with softer soil but that ants are crazy in my front yard haha.

I would say luckily (but it could have been bad) my girl layed her eggs in the water. Wish I would have known the signs I would have taken her outside daily. Now that I know if my second turtle shows signs I know to take her out.

Back on-topic what you could do is make a flower/bush bed of sorts. What I mean is dig up a spot in the yard and plant bushes or flowers that can handle the heat but replace all the dirt you dig up with top soil/mulch etc. That way you have a nesting area and something decent to shade the area while you let her out.