Hi,
After years, and dozens of my turtles' eggs dying (inside the house, out in the pen, wherever), I went to check on an outdoor nest today and found one pipping. Only survivor from a nest of 8. He/she seems to be struggling a bit to get out of his shell. Both front legs, one hind leg, and the head are out, but he does not seem to be able to make much more progress. He keeps flailing with his front arms, then rests, then tries again. He's actually dragging his whole egg around the small cage with him!
I've been sprinkling him with water periodically to keep him hydrated.
Is there any danger of him dying from exhaustion/over-exertion?
At what point should I intervene and try to gently remove the eggshell?
Thanks in advance.
After years, and dozens of my turtles' eggs dying (inside the house, out in the pen, wherever), I went to check on an outdoor nest today and found one pipping. Only survivor from a nest of 8. He/she seems to be struggling a bit to get out of his shell. Both front legs, one hind leg, and the head are out, but he does not seem to be able to make much more progress. He keeps flailing with his front arms, then rests, then tries again. He's actually dragging his whole egg around the small cage with him!
I've been sprinkling him with water periodically to keep him hydrated.
Is there any danger of him dying from exhaustion/over-exertion?
At what point should I intervene and try to gently remove the eggshell?
Thanks in advance.