Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 2:23 am Re: Gravid female questions
You can leave her in there as long as you want. If she was digging in there then that is a good sign that she is happy with the environment (maybe). When she is done digging and starts to just hang out, then you can put her back in her tank. If she isn't ready to be back in her tank, she'll let you know (like fighting with you as you take her back, or going frantic shortly after being put back). Don't be surprised if she hangs out in her tank and then goes frantic a few hours later.
Unless she is in the middle of digging, it won't kill her if you accidentally put her back when she is not ready. You can simply return her to the bin (nest) and leave her be.
You don't need to worry about feeding her or giving her water - she'll most likely stop eating when she is ready to lay.
I also noticed - though it could have been my hopeful imagination - that when Penelope stopped eating, she pooped like crazy for a couple of days, and then went frantic.
Back to your nesting question - since I have nothing better to do than analyze my turtle - I noticed that her abandoning a spot seemed to have more to do with dirt / mud falling back into the hole than the wetness or dryness of the dirt itself. That combined with wanting to be alone.
I suggest that you assess the dampness by trying to dig a little hole with your hand - if it sticks like mud, then its too wet. If it keeps falling back into the hole, it's too dry. They will dig in the dirt and flick it out to create a hole. If dirt keeps falling back in, then it ruins all the fun. If it is too muddy or wet, when they go to flick out some dirt, it just sticks on their foot, ergo no progress. Just my theory.
Oh! and another unproven theory...if she digs a hole and walks away - leave the hole as-is...she may return to it.
"I know up on the top you are seeing great sights, but down at the bottom we, too, should have rights"
~ "Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories" by Dr. Seuss ~
