General Care Discussion :: The Second Egg

[Wasabi]

A few weeks back my RES laid her first egg (without a male). I came home from work today and I saw the remains of what could only be a second egg. It looks like she laid it on her basking rock and munched half of it. It looked kind of deflated and disgusting. I took it out right away. I noticed last night that she's been restless and she just hasn't stopped! She will tuck everything into her shell then spazz around her tank with her back legs. It's kind of weird looking. And when she's sitting still under the water her head is twitching in a way that looks like a mix between knocking a fly off her head and a seizure. If I come over to the tank she'll stop whatever she's doing and stare at me. Maybe this is just welcome to the world of owning a female turtle. But this business makes me a little freaked out. And I have the feeling a lot more water changes.

[steve]

I haven't heard of the head twitching related to being gravid. Was what was left of the egg malformed? Did it smell bad? If she has been retaining the eggs for too long, she should be checked out by a vet. Have you tried feeling for additional eggs?

[Wasabi]

I couldn't tell if the egg looked that way because she did it or if it was malformed. Most likely she started eating it then it kind of deflated on one side. There was no bad smell, though I have noticed that recently her water has been smelling more than usual. Well, usually it doesn't smell at all, but sometimes I have been smelling something faint. She goes crazy when I try to check her. She loves me as long as I'm not holding her. I came home today and she was acting completely normal, basking in the light.

Edit: Yeah... every time I try to check for eggs she refuses to take her legs out of her shell. I can tickle her feet, but she wont budge them and runs away with her front legs. Cute, but not effective

[steve]

Was the egg shell white and soft? A trick I use to feel for eggs is to let them walk around on the floor and wait for them stop moving. If one of the rear legs is extended, I'll reach in for a gentle poke.

[Wasabi]

Yeah, the egg shell was white and soft with yellow yolk. I've tried that trick too and she will literally just walk around with her front legs only. (she knows I wont put my fingers near her mouth!) I will try again when I let her out tomorrow. She has been very calm tonight.

[steve]

That's good to hear. Hopefully she'll be done soon.

[penelope]

I found a way to hold Penelope in place...I put her in the floor (rug or towel), place my whole hand on her back with just enough pressure to keep her in place - it really doesn't take much (the rug or towels prevents slipping and sliding). I read about that somewhere, and it worked. After about 30 seconds they just stop and then you get in and do your thing, even if you need to lay on the floor.
Personally, it does not seem to cause any enormous life-altering stress (I just wouldn't do it when she is going psycho gravid).

If you can round up a helper, that is ideal...let them hold her in place so they (the helper) doesn't get all scared. If they are brave, let them hold her mid air with the plastron facing them and then get in to do your thing (put a towel down to catch the urine that seems to come along with feeling around).
If the helper is not familiar with turtles, they will probably get scared when your gal is looking for someone/ something to bite, if that happens just the use the floor option.

As for retracting her legs, you need to get your thumb and forefinger on the padding and gently pull it out. Those legs are quiet strong so don't be surprised if you lose the grip and she retracts several times. Just keeping working at it and you will ultimately you will prevail. Once you get that leg out, jump in and start feeling around per the "egg check" instructions. If she retracts her legs at that point, it doesn't matter, because you will be where you need to be to check. To make you feel better, even my vet has to work hard to get those legs out.

Many children throw tantrums when they get their immunizations, but they get that immunization like it or not because it protects their health.
Point being: your gal may get real mad, but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do in the interest of health.

[Wasabi]

Thank you for the suggestions. So far, her patience and ability to run away with only her front legs out astounds me. If I look at her, she tucks her legs in. It seems that way, at least.

[steve]

She's on to your prodding!