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NESTING

PostPosted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 2:55 pm
by Oscar Doscar
Hi all, just a few questions on my RES.
After my RES have mated, do the females not like nesting close to their own environment?
I have a male and female in an outdoor pond, over the last month I have noticed my female escaping her enclosure to go and nest.
Also I live In Auckland, New Zealand, at the moment it is our Summer, does anyone know if her eggs will hatch or is our summers not hot enough?
She lays her eggs in dirt too, so not sure if that's what their meant to do?
:D

Re: NESTING

PostPosted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 8:08 pm
by ljapa
I can't comment on temp, but I live over 200 meters from a pond with RES. I've seen one turtle lay eggs in the yard, and have seen many others on the road looking for places to lay.

And, yes, they bury them in the dirt. Sex is partly determined by the temp.

Re: NESTING

PostPosted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:44 am
by steve
They'd want to lay where they feel it's the best to do so. It's very instinctive and hard to predict. It helps if it's natural looking and not too dry.

Re: NESTING

PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:48 am
by Oscar Doscar
Thankyou for your replies. the temperature here is about 28degrees Celcius. Can the eggs hatch? The dirt she is laying in is very moist. How long does it take for eggs to hatch? :D

Re: NESTING

PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:32 am
by steve
If she's relatively young and this is her first clutch, the eggs might not be very healthy. For some general info, check here: http://www.redearslider.com/reproduction.html

Re: NESTING

PostPosted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:40 pm
by Oscar Doscar
How long does it take for the eggs to hatch

Re: NESTING

PostPosted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 1:39 am
by steve
Eggs, provided they have been properly taken care of, will hatch in 60 to 80 days. Eggs in artificial incubation may hatch several days earlier. A hatchling emerges by slicing the shell with its egg tooth. The hatchling may still be absorbing nutrients of the yolk sac, which should not be removed or disturbed. It may not show immediate interest in eating.