Trevor is 18 years old, female (I never changed her name after figuring out she was a she at the age of 3 years old when she first laid eggs) and hasn't laid eggs or tried to lay eggs since she was about 8 years old. And she has lived alone her whole life.
Now, all of a sudden, starting yesterday and increasing in intensity today... she is a mad turtle, trying desperately to get out of her tank, and hasn't eaten yesterday or today.
Her behaviour is exactly like it was before... between the ages of 3 years and 8 years old... when she would try to get out because she had eggs to lay. Back then I didn't know any better, so eventually she laid them in the water.
But now, she's bigger, taller, and with her new aquarium that we had built with the attached ramp/basking area...we built it not taking into consideration any escape attempts, as she hadn't done it in 10 years, so now since she's decided she wants out, she stands on her hind legs and CAN get her claws through the mesh screen lid- I am freaking out and don't want to leave her alone. Is she trying to get out to lay eggs??
Should I get a Rubbermaid container and make a nesting box for her and put her in it? Could she be going through the motions of needing to lay eggs without actually having any to lay? Why would she lay eggs for 5 years, then not lay eggs for 10 years, and all of a sudden be wanting to lay eggs again??
