Broken eggs!

[Neltharion]

I am no expert, but I heard if they lay them on top of the ground they are not fertile..if they dig they are....i could be wrong tho

I would say that is generally true. Sometimes you have a female in a smaller enclosure with too many distractions, the substrate isn't deep enough, or she's just inexperienced, and the eggs might be fertile even if they are laid on the surface. One of my females dug a quasi-hole, laid eggs and didn't cover them up her first time. They ended up being fertile (well one of the eggs was anyway). After the first time, she's buried her eggs ever since.

 

[ForestExotics]

I am no expert, but I heard if they lay them on top of the ground they are not fertile..if they dig they are....i could be wrong tho

I would say that is generally true. Sometimes you have a female in a smaller enclosure with too many distractions, the substrate isn't deep enough, or she's just inexperienced, and the eggs might be fertile even if they are laid on the surface. One of my females dug a quasi-hole, laid eggs and didn't cover them up her first time. They ended up being fertile (well one of the eggs was anyway). After the first time, she's buried her eggs ever since.

I have to be better prepared for this next time around.

 

[Tom]

Females of many species will sometimes drop a few duds without burying them the first time. Sometimes they get right to it, but other times they do what you saw. I'll bet she buries her next clutch...

 

[Laura]

why are they broken? did she trample them? is she getting enough calcium?

 

[ForestExotics]

why are they broken? did she trample them? is she getting enough calcium?

I saw the male eating one of the eggs. I think the male broke them.

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Is it possible that she may lay more eggs tommorow?

 

[l0velesly]

Aw, the poor eggs got trampled on.

 

[ForestExotics]

You can see the male here eating one of the eggs.

 

[turtlelady80]

Im sorry that that happened to you! That happened to me before The best thing to do is what you did, seperate her from all the other tortoises. She may be stressed. And there is a great possibility she will lay again male or no male. But the good news (kind of is that most tortoises' first clutch are not fertile. So her eggs that she dropped probably were no good anyway. You have a much better chance the next time around Hope that helps your nerves. Remember to look for signs for laying. Hopefully she digs a nest next time so the eggs are safe.

 

[ForestExotics]

Tipically about how long will it take before she lays again? Does anyone know about how much does the vet charge for an x-ray?

 

[Neltharion]

Mine have typically laid about 4 months apart. First in mid to late April, with second clutches in August to early September. I've had a few females that laid only a single clutch in their first year.

Unless she is showing signs of possibly being egg bound, not eating, not moving around much, otherwise lethargic, I would avoid taking her for an X-Ray. Remember, that is radiation that she is being exposed to. I would only take a tort in for an X-Ray if I thought its health was at risk.

 

[ForestExotics]

Ok got ya on the X-ray.

 

[ForestExotics]

She rested for 3 days then now she is non stop walking, digging with front claws and moving around all day.

 

[Neltharion]

Mine dig 'practice' holes too. That's a good sign. Keep an eye on her.

 

[ForestExotics]

What type of substrate is good for her to lay in? Something I can maybe pick up at the hpme depot.

 

[Arizona Sulcata]

Mine dig 'practice' holes too. That's a good sign. Keep an eye on her.

Ditto. Mine will always dig a hole, move on to the next hole, and then lay there.

 

[Neltharion]

What type of substrate is good for her to lay in? Something I can maybe pick up at the hpme depot.

I use just a blend of unfertilized top soil, cypress mulch, and just plain dirt out of my backyard that I remove the rocks from.

Mine have a foot of depth that they can dig in. I've heard from a few others that if the subtrate is too shallow, they may not lay. I was advised that the bare minimum depth should be 8 inches. Others may have different opinions on that.

 

[ForestExotics]

What type of substrate is good for her to lay in? Something I can maybe pick up at the hpme depot.

I use just a blend of unfertilized top soil, cypress mulch, and just plain dirt out of my backyard that I remove the rocks from.

Mine have a foot of depth that they can dig in. I've heard from a few others that if the subtrate is too shallow, they may not lay. I was advised that the bare minimum depth should be 8 inches. Others may have different opinions on that.

Ok Thanks

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Mine dig 'practice' holes too. That's a good sign. Keep an eye on her.

Ditto. Mine will always dig a hole, move on to the next hole, and then lay there.

If she digs with her front legs only. Does it mean she can be looking for a nesting spot? Or only if she is diging with her rear legs?

 

[Arizona Sulcata]

When mine dig with their rear legs they are ready to lay. That means they have started to dig what I call the "funnel" hole where the eggs will be placed.

 

[Floof]

Oh no! So sorry to hear about the broken eggs--hopefully her next clutch is laid properly, and fertile...

(Slightly OT, but is that a Sulcata butt I see in the first picture? I'm sure you've heard it all before, but it doesn't hurt to reiterate: Mixing species is a big "no-no" as far as most reputable keepers are concerned, for many, many reasons. If you ARE housing a Sullie with your Russian group, I would highly recommend taking the risks into consideration and moving him into his own, dedicated habitat...)

 

[ForestExotics]

Oh no! So sorry to hear about the broken eggs--hopefully her next clutch is laid properly, and fertile...

(Slightly OT, but is that a Sulcata butt I see in the first picture? I'm sure you've heard it all before, but it doesn't hurt to reiterate: Mixing species is a big "no-no" as far as most reputable keepers are concerned, for many, many reasons. If you ARE housing a Sullie with your Russian group, I would highly recommend taking the risks into consideration and moving him into his own, dedicated habitat...)

Yea I know he was just hanging out for a little bit I am always moving things around.