General Care Discussion :: Nesting Behavior?

[Wilmainschool]

then what do you do when turtles are gravid? I dont want to stress her out...

[Tokapeli]

im in the same boat. Im pretty sure Kaya is gravid and of course taking her outside is out of the question in january so im going to try an indoor nesting box this weekend too. If that doesnt work i dont know what to do, I thought she would just lay the eggs in the tank by now but its been at least a few weeks and she is still freaking out.

[steve]

Well, the first thing to do is confirm that she's gravid. How big is she (they)?

[Wilmainschool]

Wilma is a little over 7 inches in shell length. I honestly do not know how old she is. The frantic behavior is ocurring around the same time of day, about 11:00 each day. Now keep in mind I dont see her after 6 pm. So I cannot say for sure that she doesnt do it at night, but she is fairly calm in the morning when I come in but around that same time every day she starts doing the pull ups and on and off the ATBA. Other than her freaking out and swimming crazy are there other signs?

[steve]

She looks great. Either she has figured out the best time to beg or she could be gravid. When she tries to get out of the tank is she focusing on you or someone else? Does she stop as soon as you drop food in?

[Wilmainschool]

she does it when I am not near her. If I put food in...she will go eat it but she will go right back at it after 5 minutes or so.

[steve]

I would think then, that she's nailed down begging. When she is frantically swimming, would she swim towards you or follow your finger if pressed against the glass?

[Wilmainschool]

no. That she has stopped doing. She used to. But now she just flops around. When she was begging before this past week...she only did it when we were in front of the tank, like when my students would line up or I'd be standing near her talking to another teacher...but now she does it no matter where we are. Ill see if I can get a video of it later. Its hard to do without encouraging her by standing near her, but it just seems different than just begging to me. Until this week she has never done the pull ups like she had been doing. She even does it when the lights are off and the kids are watching a video...And like I said her basking has stopped. Shes just constantly moving now. If she is gravid how long does it last? Does her eating sand again tell me anything? She just doesnt seem like her self...as Ive only had her for 3 months I guess I cant really be sure what herself is...but I dont know...she just seems frantic all afternoon, she seems less happy. Could she be bored? What can I give her to entertain her? After the care she had before I got her I really want to make sure I am doing the best possible for her. She definitely deserves it.

[steve]

Being gravid varies, though it usually subsides if the turtle can't nest. In most cases, she will then expel the eggs into the water. I don't think the sand has anything to do with it, though they can be very aggressive about begging. If you still can't feel anything, x-rays would be the only way to confirm it.

*edit

[Wilmainschool]

could she be bored?

[steve]

Not to the extent that you've described.

[Wilmainschool]

Ok...so i dont think it is the begging thing. I have no idea what was going on with her, but she seems to be back to her self. She has been basking for 4 hours this morning with no frantic behavior at all. After freaking me out for a week and a half she seems to be happy and content again. She is bone dry sitting under her heat light, feet spread and seems to be back to normal. I think she just liked me worrying about her!

[Tokapeli]

Its really wierd but you turtles behavior sounds exactly the same as mine. She will go back to normal for a few days and act very calm and content, but then she goes back to freaking out. Im going to try an indoor nesting box this weekend im pretty sure she is gravid. Maybe youre right thought she might be just fine, Ill keep you posted if i have any success.

[Wilmainschool]

Deinitely. Id be interested to know if you have success. Take pictures of your box too!