I do not claim to be a malacologist, but I know that snails possess a gland which produces calcium for their shells. That gland must have some nutritional value for turtles
Well, it's taken me this long to shake off my disappointment-induced lethargy to write the final chapter on this most recent clutch which, no matter how one choses, was an unmitigated disaster from beginning to end;
As I had previously written eleven eggs from my two females (six from one, five...
I am not overly optimistic about these recent clutches: eleven laid, eleven banded...two ended up exploding, three have mold that I am always wiping off and the rest are looking 'iffy'. Yesterday one pipped, I am keeping my fingers crossed for the remaining bunch.
Both my obsti females decided today was a good to nest and they gifted me with eleven eggs: 5 from the smaller female, 6 from 'Big Mama'. All have been placed in Tupperware containers, resting on a bed of moistened sphagnum/vermiculite. Incubation is at 81F - 83F.
And now the wait begins.....