General Care Discussion :: RES is laying eggs

[drgnldy]

Hi, my 13 year old RES is laying eggs. She layed a few eggs 2 years ago but she has been laying eggs for 2 days now, and then she eats them. Do I need to be concerned or is this normal.
Thanks Donna

[steve]

(I made this into a new topic)

You should not let her eat the eggs and you should try to provide her with a nesting area so she can lay them naturally.

[drgnldy]

What does a nesting area consist of, she is in a 75 gallon tank and has a large basking area.

[sonyj]

Here's a link that helps with nesting areas: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Nestsites.htm

Generally a nesting area should be composed of 50% organic compost and 50% sand. It should be outside the tank but easily accessible to her should she need to lay eggs. If you have a nice yard/garden and can take her out for several hours under supervision to a place with soft soil she may lay her eggs there but you need to watch for the signs that she needs to leave the tank. Many female RES will try frantically to leave the tank when they need to lay their eggs since they now instinctively they shouldn't be laid in the water.

[drgnldy]

Thank you, she has a fenced area in the yard with a pond in it. I will put her in it more often, she escapes sometimes so I do have to stay with her when she is there and that isn't always possible in the day and we have something that comes in the yard at night and gets in the ponds (turtle and fish) so can't leave her out at night. She hasn't laid an egg since yesterday so maybe she is finished. Thanks again.

[drgnldy]

I have left hermes out in her day area, day and night. Made her a beach, moved her filter, heater and basking light out there. She is still laying in the water. She has been laying eggs for over a week. They are slowing down but how many can she lay.