redearslider.com

I have had my red eared slider for 6 years now and recently i noticed her digging a hole. i figured she was instinctively wanting to lay eggs but i figured she didn't have any eggs due to the fact that there are not any males, or turtles, around her. I just wanted to check her out so i moved her and then she went back into the water. Then i stumbled on this website and read that they do have eggs without the presence of males-duh they need to be fertilized. So heres the real question: Did my interrupting her hurt her in any way, i don't want her eggs to be stuck or her to stop digging?
picklelover[/b]

Probably not. People often check for eggs in a brutal way (I think) and they never have problems with their females laying eggs. You should be fine.

oh good thanks! i will never interrupt her again, i just didn't realize what was happening. I must say it is really exciting to see my turtle maturing. She has changed a lot since the day she was dropped off on my doorstep in a pickle jar. i half want to get her a boyfriend but the reality of the situation is that i do not have the time or patience for keeping a bunch of baby turtles. I wish she could have a boyfriend but its not realistic or responsible. Thanks for easing my mind

Also, I think you double posted your question...im pretty sure it was an accident though

Here's a link to some info on the subject for you. On the link there are links to still other pages. I recommend you read them all.

http://www.redearslider.com/reproduction.html

Females lay eggs whether or not a male is present but if there's no male the eggs won't be fertile so, no little turtles. You're doing the right thing not putting her with a male. There are way too many little RES out there without good homes. They wind up being neglected or dumped in ponds where they either get sick or make the resident turtles sick. In a lot of places RES are considered invasive species and are quite unwelcome because they can out-compete the local turtles. So, best not to bring still more of them into the world.

RES can be very particular about where they lay their eggs. If your girl found a spot she likes, why don't put her back there and give her more chances to lay. When a turtle can't find a spot to lay that she is comfortable with, she may lay in the water or retain the eggs which can make her very sick. You're fortunate if your girl has a place to lay that she likes.

Keep us posted. If she goes ahead and digs a nest and lays, you can destroy the eggs by breaking them.