General Care Discussion :: Nesting Materials

[kinetic]

Ok, so I have read the information provided about what to use for a proper nesting area... my question is if anyone has had particular success with any certain materials

im getting ready to setup an out of tank basking/nesting area so that spaz can nest whenever she feels comfortable instead of removing her to a separate tank

any suggestions would be great... and of course, once the project begins, pictures will follow

[kinetic]

**cough** BUMP BUMP **cough**

[marisa]

By materials do you mean what the nesting site is made out of what substrate to fill the nesting box with? I'm not sure that any one material is better than another in getting a turtle to lay eggs (if you're talking about what the nesting area should be made out of). You said you want to make an area your turtle can go to and feel comfortable, and that's good. The nesting area should be easily accessible and should be filled with material that's easy to dig in (a 50/50 mix of organic compost and sand is frequently recommended).

[kinetic]

yes yes the actual nesting substrate is what I was looking for... i have a good idea on the overall structure, just needed the nesting substrate figured out, thanks!

[marisa]

Have it at least the depth of your turtle's shell length.

[DavidY]

hmm, i tried to post this last night but it didn't make it. here it is again...

I've never bred turtles but I do breed bearded dragon lizards and I think there may be a few things that may help. For a substrate I use regular sterilized potting soil. I make sure it's moist but not muddy or wet. I then fill up one side of a rubbermaid tub (I think it's a 18 gallon) about 10 inches deep from the end of the tub to about the middle of the tub, and then slope it down to the other end. My dragons seem to prefer to dig into a hill rather than digging a hole straight down.

Also, my inexperienced breeders (1st time mothers) don't always know to use the nesting box and sometimes lay their eggs in a dry corner of their cage where they whither and dry in minutes if I don't catch them in time. With these girls, I've learned to watch for signs when they are preparing to lay their eggs: extreme restlessness, constantly digging and scratching at the ground, no eating for a couple of days. When I notice this activity reaching a peak level, I pick them up and put them into the nesting box, then I take one of their arms and gently start digging into the dirt for them. They look at me and then at the dirt for a little bit, but then they usually get the idea soon after that.

The nesting box stays in their cage during laying season (it's a very large cage) and I regularly check it to make sure its moist. There's a log leading up to the rim of the tub and another one inside so they can climb in and out easily. I also have a large plastic plant overhanging one corner of the tub as some mothers prefer to dig in a more sheltered spot.

After the eggs have been laid, I wait until the mother has carefully buried them and has left the box. I then gently dig the eggs back up and move them to my incubator on a tray filled with moist vermiculite. Be careful not to change the orientation of the egg when transferring it (keep the top side up). An embryo, once attached to the egg wall, will drown if turned upside down.

Hope some of this helps.