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ChicagoTurtles · Guest Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

I have two RES who are approximately 3 1/2 years old (male and female). The female is approximately 6 inches, the guy a little smaller. they live in a 90 gallon tank, filled as full as possible, with a good size dock and the needed basking and UVA/UVB light. Yesterday we had an unusual occurrance.

The female layed 5 eggs under water and within 5 minutes the two of them had eaten them. These are not hungry turtles so I'm not sure what explains this behavior. I thought they were a little young still to breed, although I know females can lay unfertilized eggs. Before we could figure out what to do with the eggs they were smashing and eating them. It was kind of odd to watch.

Anyone have insight? Is this normal?

Rocky_220 · Level 3 Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 461

I don't know why she would of lain them underwater. If there's a land area (in this case, your turtle dock) she should of lain them on that. The only thing I can think of is, turtles are just destructive, they will pick at and bite things.
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R.I.P. Steve Irwin

ChicagoTurtles · Guest Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Could it have something to do with not having a place to dig a hole for the eggs?

The dock they have is plastic so there is no area for nesting (and/or digging) it's really just for basking under the lamps or a place to hang out if they don't feel like swimming.

davnangkelly · Level 2 Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Posts: 41

Chicago is exactly right. They have to lay their eggs in a hole in the ground. Otherwise the eggs will die if they are even fertile, which might be the case here with turtles this young. As for eating them, turtles are opportunist eaters and will eat whatever it sees as eatable not even knowing where the eggs may have come from.

Rocky_220 · Level 3 Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 461

There's an old trick for a nesting area. Just get a Rubermaid container, fill it with potting soil, and set it next to your aquarium. You can secure glass panels around the container (and if you have a ramp leading to it, you can also use the glass for that) so they don't fall off of it.
_________________
R.I.P. Steve Irwin

ChicagoTurtles · Guest Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks for the comments and advice! Smile

babylucifer · Level 3 Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 305

There's nothing ominous about your turtles eating those eggs. If you want a meaningful response, it is to increase calcium offerings to your little ones. Laying eggs requires a lot of calcium, and if they are just a little bit short of calcium, they will take it anywhere they can find it. Make sure they have cuttlefish bone to scrape or chew and that your pellets have lots of calcium. Most spiders will eat their old web before spinning a new one because the trace elements they need are hard to come by.

ChicagoTurtles · Guest Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Makes sense. I will up their calcium for a while to ensure they're getting enough. Thanks for the info.