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Well hello! I've been MIA during our housebuilding/moving debacle. But now we are in! And the contractors are all happily paid and out of our hair and I can relax... and get back to fixating on my turts!

So, a few times, I've walked in and found Herman with his penis out, in the area of Lily. I haven't actually seen them go at it, but... she didn't look terribly upset. Also, she seems much more physically receptive to Herman in other situations, so it makes me wonder. At night, they sleep all tucked up in the fake plants, but now they do it almost on top of each other, which they never used to. Also, both now use the dock, whereas only one used to.

This could all be because they are happier in their new home, which is near a window (I'm monitoring algae, fret not!). But the point is, I think I had better be ready for Lily in case she has eggs. She has not had any yet. I don't know how old she is, but she's about 5-6 inches.

So now the questions.
1. I have no yard or garden. At all. I can do a dirt box, but should I use "clean" dirt from a gardening center?
2. Also, how long should she be left in there? I know she will want time to settle.
3. And should she be alone, or with Herman?
4. I was thinknig what I could do was put her in the box at night (once she shows signs such as digging). Could I leave her overnight? Would that be peaceful, and long enough, or too long?

All help appreciated

Wow, that was long winded.

Hey welcome back! Camee recently had a bout with her girl laying eggs. There's a couple of threads on here from the past couple of weeks that you might want to take a look at. It seems the best way is to find somewhere outdoors where you can let her walk around until she finds a suitable spot to lay her eggs. Don't you live across the street from a beach?

Hi there! And thanks for the welcome back! I DO live down the block form the beach, yes. But I didn't think she'd like that, as it's very open... also, would I have to follow her around and such, and that may make her feel quite unsettled. Just doesn't seem very safe to me? Am I wrong? I'll check out Camee's threads. Thanks for the heads up!

Hey kiki, I've got two young girls, and although I probably got a couple of years yet (I hope), I was thinking of getting one of those small kiddie pools and just put about 6" of 50/50 sand and topsoil (maybe potting soil?) and put them in that when they are ready......

1. Tortoisetrust recommends a "50/50 mixture of sand and organic compost", though I think regular dirt (or soil as GG mentions) is fine.

2. Usually you put her in there when she is showing signs of wanting to nest. If she likes it, she will get right to it, if not, then she probably won't try in there.

3. Leave her there alone.

4. You can try, but I haven't come across any accounts of that being a successful method.

From my own experience, female snappers and DBTs will leave their habitat at night to lay eggs, I'm not sure about captive turts......

On ER vets, the RES (or was it a cooter?) was given Oxtocin and left in a dirt tub overnight. My own female has never showed nesting behavior at night... though Tobi likes those night-time nesting sessions.

Thanks for the tips. As I said, this is just "in case" I start seeing signs... none so far. I'm just pretty sure that they, you know, "did it!" I'll certainly keep you posted. Grey Goose, the pool idea is a good one. Thanks all for the suggestions!

Yeah no need to worry about it until the time comes. Then you'll probably be too excited or worried to remember all of this and you'll be running around frantic like "what do I do now??". lol! That's what I did when our first child was due! ...and Camee was kind of like that too when her girl was ready to lay eggs I think. That's the great thing about this forum, there's always someone around who can offer good advice, even into the wee hours of the night...(ahem...SpotsMama)...

Hee hee! And the other great thing about the forum? There's always someone just as excited as you about whatever turtle issue is at hand!

lol! That's true!