I'm still waiting....

[turtlelady80]

My yellowfoot started digging June 14th. She dug 3 test holes and I noticed the ground was really dry. I took your advice and gave her a 4ft by 4ft by 1ft deep mixture of dirt, peat moss and sand and wet it down. Nothing...How long can tortoises hold onto their eggs?

 

[EricIvins]

One foot is no where deep enough.......When a Tortoise lays, it generally goes down at least 3/4 of it SCL length, if not more.......Even on an angle, one foot isn't enough.......Yellowfoots come from areas where you can sink to your waist in leaf litter, so that may give you an idea on how they need to be treated.......

 

[turtlelady80]

I thought yellowfoots don't dig anywhere deep enough like the redfoots do. They just dig a hole and hardly cover them up. I am not seeing any nesting behavior anyway, even if its not deep enough. I was just wondering how long torts can hold onto their eggs, for whatever the reason...

 

[Yvonne G]

Both times my YF tortoises nested they just went into a corner of their house and deposited all the eggs in the corner. These tortoises have access to outside 24/7/365, and the ground is rotted leaves and sandy soil, however they both chose to lay the eggs on top of the floor of their house. I have never seen test nests.

If the female holds the eggs too long, more calcium will be deposited on them making it hard or impossible for them to hatch. I don't know how long is too long, though, sorry.

When I turn the sprinkler on it puts the females in nesting mode. Can you simulate a light rain some way or another?

 

[turtlelady80]

Thanks Yvonne. Yeah I have "made it rain" several times. Actually, every day. Do your YF nest in the morning or evening?

---

I would hope she would just drop them eventually if she doesn't find the "right" spot but this is my first time encountering this problem. Usually my torts just dig a hole and lay lol

 

[austinSOLO]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=152h6SGRko0

not sure if that link will work but it shows a wild yellowfoot and what its habitat looks like. i would like to try and replicate it when building an environment

 

[EricIvins]

She'll become egg bound if she holds on to them for too long........Once the hormonal cues pass, the chances of her actually laying are slim at best......

 

[turtlelady80]

Oh No!! So since its been a while and she stopped her nesting behavior, she's going to end up egg bound? Won't she die from that!!? What else can I do!?

 

[turtlelady80]

Well I made a few changes. She is now in a huge field by herself. The field has woods, cover, leaf litter, shade, excellent hiding places and a sprinkler that I will leave on most of the day to saturate the ground. I soaked her in warm water for about 15 minutes and gave her a good meal with calcium. The only problem is I can't see/find her lol. It's fenced in so I know she can't escape. I don't care as long as she feels comfortable and lays her eggs. Even if I can't find her nesting sight, I'll know I did everything I could and she will be OK once (IF) she lays. Crossing my fingers....Thanks for all the help. I'll keep ya posted.