Hibernation after laying eggs

[tomn]

Im just about to start the wind down process for hibernation so i took my females to get x-rayed. One female is holding four eggs (her fourth clutch this year 15 total eggs for her). My question is how long should i wait to begin the wind down process after she layed he eggs?

 

[Yvonne G]

I've never had to deal with this problem, and have never read anything about it, so you can take my answer or leave it.

If it were my tortoise, I would set up an indoor habitat and not let her hibernate. I know that quite a few tortoises will keep their eggs, but if they were able to be seen on an X-Ray, then I think that means they have been calcified???? Not sure of this. But if this is the case, then keeping them too long might cause re-calcification. I don't think this is a good thing.

Oxytocin helps the muscles to relax and the eggs to be laid, however this drug doesn't work on some types of tortoise.

Hopefully someone with more egg experience (eggsperience?) will help you with an answer.

 

[tomn]

I've never had to deal with this problem, and have never read anything about it, so you can take my answer or leave it.

If it were my tortoise, I would set up an indoor habitat and not let her hibernate. I know that quite a few tortoises will keep their eggs, but if they were able to be seen on an X-Ray, then I think that means they have been calcified???? Not sure of this. But if this is the case, then keeping them too long might cause re-calcification. I don't think this is a good thing.

Oxytocin helps the muscles to relax and the eggs to be laid, however this drug doesn't work on some types of tortoise.

Hopefully someone with more egg experience (eggsperience?) will help you with an answer.

Thank u for your imput. She is set up inside with a laying area. The eggs r slightly calcified a few weeks from being laid. I still plan on hibernating just later in the year perhaps starting wind down late december? Just wondering in therory how much time should pass from laying to preparing for hibernation.

 

[egyptiandan]

That would all depend on her weight after laying Tom.

Danny

 

[tomn]

That would all depend on her weight after laying Tom.

Danny

She is 7 3/4 inch and always 1100+ plus grams

 

[egyptiandan]

For a female Hermanns her size, I'm getting a weight of 1500g. Be nice to get a more accurate weight. Are you measuring her carapace or plastron?

Danny

 

[tomn]

Thanks Dan i went back and looked through my records she is just under 7 inches and historically about 1100 - 1150 grams. As long as her weight is good i can begin the wind process shortly after she laid her eggs? She has been hibernated in past years at this weight i just have never had a female lay this late in the year.

 

[egyptiandan]

Much better Her weight is perfect and should be no problem hibernating her.

Danny

 

[tomn]

Much better Her weight is perfect and should be no problem hibernating her.

Danny

Dan- So no down time for her to recooperate between laying and wind down? Like a week or two?
Thank u dan for your help

 

[egyptiandan]

2 weeks down time would be fine after laying.

Danny

 

[tomn]

Thanks Dan