Russians laying

[clintdowns]

I am looking at getting 1.2 or 1.3. How many clutches/eggs could I expect in a year.

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

Adult female Russian tortoises can lay up to 3 clutches of 5 eggs per summer, for a total of 15 offspring in a single laying season.

If you are thinking of getting 2 or 3 adult females, then together they could lay as many as 30 to 45 eggs per year, respectively. With the right conditions, all or almost all of those could survive to adulthood.

 

[68merc]

I have 1.4 and so far only have 2 that lay eggs. Last year i got 8 eggs total with only one hatching. I have 5 eggs in the incubator at this point from the same 2 females.

 

[Tom]

There are a lot of unanswered questions about russians. I know a lot of people who have groups of adults, do everything "right", and get no eggs year after year. I know others who have a similar set up and get several eggs a year. Still others do it all "wrong" and get lots of eggs and babies anyway.

There is just no guarantee. There is really no guarantee with ANY species, but russians can be exceptionally perplexing in this aspect. And frustrating.

I guess what I'm saying is: Don't get them because you think you are going to breed them and get lots of babies every year. Get them because you think they are cool and you want them around.

 

[clintdowns]

Now I may be getting 6 big adults. How many males do you think I will need.

 

[lynnedit]

One.
IF nothing happens, consider getting a second male to foster competitiion, etc., next year.
However, you may have to house them separately except for a month or so in Spring.
Better to proceed slowly, rather than get too many males and risk fighting, etc.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

One.
IF nothing happens, consider getting a second male to foster competitiion, etc., next year.
However, you may have to house them separately except for a month or so in Spring.
Better to proceed slowly, rather than get too many males and risk fighting, etc.

I so agree with this. Competition , I believe helps stimulate hormones production in the males. This is not based on any scientific studies I've read or conducted, just on my, perhaps twisted logic.

 

[Tom]

BUT.... be prepared to separate them all. You just never know how its going to and Russians can be relentless and brutal at times.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Tom is correct with his advise. I'm have the exception with my 4.4 group. I have 3 males that are happy to graze and avoid any confrontation and one who is very assertive in his pursuits of the ladies. I regularly check everyone out, and have the set up ready if one needs to be separated from all the others threefold.