All Turtles Message Board

durvillegirl · Level 1 Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 7

Help!! I am in a panic - we have two red earred sliders who I presumed or assumed were of the same sex - one of them has just laid an egg at the bottom of the tank!!! I have removed it carefully and made an incubator and made a wee nest for the 'maybe' mummy, have I done everything right? or have I missed something?

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1228

Females will lay eggs, even if there is no male present. They will just be infertile eggs. Tis the season for eggies so the first thing you need to do is establish if you have 2 females or one of each. Even with a male and a female it does not mean you have fertile eggs. So first of all look at them close do they have the same size claws on the front legs if so no worries, if one is considerably longer than the other then you have a male (long claws) there are other ways also a males tail is much fatter and longer than a females and the opening is about 2/3 of the way down from the shell toward the tip. The females opening is close to the shell itself.
If you have 2 females then all the eggs you get just throw away there is no chance of them being fertile. Another thing you need to consider is even if the eggs are fertile can you care for hatchlings until they can leagally be sold in your area. This means setting up a tank and caring for them and your female can lay 20 eggs. You might want to read Willies breeding guide at the top of the breeding section. Lots of good info there.

dixieee · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:05 pm Post subject:

welcome to the board Smile

wow it seems like the laying season, 3rd new mommy in 2 days on this board Very Happy

so good luck with the newcomer and as the mod said, read willie's article u'll get all answers. keep us posted Smile

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

durvillegirl · Level 1 Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 7

Gosh I have looked and looked and I cant tell - maybe they are two females? In New Zealand there isnt a legal age of size the babies have to be before they are sold. Actually if I remember I have their 'birth certificates' some where that'll tell me

dixieee · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:24 am Post subject:

lol could u post pix? we might be able to help Smile

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

durvillegirl · Level 1 Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 7

will put some up tonight

durvillegirl · Level 1 Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 7

she has obviously retained some eggs - she laid another two yesterday that were putrid!! do you think I should take her to the vets to make sure they are all out?

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1228

Oh boy, yep it is vet time. If she is retaining them it can cause her some serious problems. I wish you and her, all the best.

durvillegirl · Level 1 Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 7

right I will - I'll be sure to let you know what happens

centex · Level 3 Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 319

azaxa sx

durvillegirl · Level 1 Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 7

Well I took my turtle to the vet and the x-ray was clear - no eggs left!! phew - just noticed an egg in the tank 10 mins ago which means I took the WRONG one!!! waaa - anyhoo this eggs was nice and white - unfortunatly it got broken in the tank!!! will keep you informed!

dixieee · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:23 am Post subject:

ok i'm sorry but it's somehow funny Laughing

hard luck with that one, keep an eye on them and maybe separating them will make things much easier Wink

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

durvillegirl · Level 1 Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 7

yes it is funny!!! I told my dad and he almost couldnt breathe he was laughing so loud!! anyhoo have seperated them, the 'mummy' is in a box to hopefully lay some eggs!!! will let you know