General Care Discussion :: Length of time to have eggs.

[MileMarker]

Hello Everyone,

I have a red ear slider - Bernie. Initially thought it was a he, but it really was a she. She is 25 as my wife corrects me writing to this forum.(correcting my Hi post) Every year, it seems this Bernie goes longer and longer with her Gravid Cycle. This year the paddling started in last week of Feb and not eating. (a month early than the previous 2 years) She has been running around the house, sunning, then pretending to lay her egg in a nice tub full of dirt for the past 5 1/2 weeks. The longest she took to have eggs was last year at 1.5 months. We will be quickly moving past this soon.

Does the cycle get longer with age? I am worried she has not eaten in awhile. How long can a turtle go without food? Any info would be appreciated. Last question - Does Gravid end at a certain age? Its tiring me and her out..

Thanks!

[litefoot]

I accept what some articles I found state , don't experience menopause like mammals. As long as she gets a good diet and is healthy may go entire life laying. Although in nature illness and things control there age at times. Then one can always find a book that say other? My Minnie at times would take (9) weeks to lay all. The Doc at the nature Center I volunteered at would say that's nature some are fast and others hold longer. Around 22 (+ or-) and got more picky with age no matter how much time and money I put into an outdoor nesting area. Also would never use it , found her own spot !
Food , in wild can go some time without it but being captive with eggs I would offer small amounts and see. Most will stop eating during this period. After a Hurricane taking my females I have gone to Male RES's only ,less tiring.
Some find indoor nesting just don't work at times , try your backyard , she may quickly find a spot? Keep a good eye on her they are fast.

[steve]

RES kept alone don't normally have eggs so it's hard to predict. I can imagine it being more difficult to lay eggs with age and I agree with litefoot, she could become gravid at anytime in her adult period.

A healthy adult RES can go for weeks without food, but that's not ideal. What foods have you tried? Has she been to the vet before? Have you tried other nesting areas?

[MileMarker]

As far as foods, Common turtle food such as turtle sticks, pellets and shrimp. When she is running out and around - typically will eat some lettuce. This has been her diet through her years. In this condition, she is stubborn on eating.

I have a big tub to lay eggs used to put her inside, its a hit or miss.. she hates being coupe up during this time. Most times she runs around the house for about a half our quickly and lands at a small shag rug right now. Unsure what else I can do.. I would take her outside, but there is snow on the ground.

Yes, a vet looks like may be in the future, she has never been - always been healthy girl.

[steve]

Yea, too cold right now. Temperatures and weather play a big role in those instincts. Have you tried live prey? When my RES was gravid, she would act completely normal but there would be an hour long window when she wanted out and make her nest. It had to be in a garden outside too.

[MileMarker]

never have tried live prey. I will give that a shot - What kind of live pray does a RES eat?

In the mean time, going to have her checked out at Angell Memorial, next Tuesday.

Thanks for the responses..

[litefoot]

Ask someone if you can dig in there garden for a worm , that's if you live in an apartment. Catch a cricket they are slow this time of year. If not a big box store with a fishing section like a Walmart (have live worms & crickets) , or a fresh water bait shop.

[steve]

Petco/Petsmart and your usual aquariums should have minnows, usually around 10 for $1. You can hold it by the tail and let it wiggle in front of her face.

[MileMarker]

Got back from the Doctors - she is almost ready - hopefully I can attach the X-Ray.. pretty cool.. 13 eggs for Easter .. hopefully its attached.

Doc says female can have eggs for many years, no menopause date for a turtle. There is an option believe it or not - you can get a hysterectomy for a turtle. Maybe a different thread - Has anyone had a Hysterectomy for a turtle?

[steve]

Nice, a baker's dozen! Hysterectomy is a pretty dangerous procedure and involves general anesthesia, I don't think I would risk it unless absolutely necessary. There are handful stories about turtles with overactive ovaries, and it's always better if they can lay them naturally.

[penelope]

Yahoo!
My gal just went two years without laying eggs or showing any sign of being gravid. However, this year she came back with a vengeance. She spent more time being crazy than not. I have been taking her outside 3-4 times a day for the past two weeks. She wandered every inch of the yard and didn't even attempt to dig. This afternoon (her third trip outside today), she just waltzed over to the berry patch and starting digging. Now she is laying eggs. So I guess taking some time off isn't too unusual.

[penelope]

Strike that...
She just spent 4 hours digging a beautiful hole and walked away. It's not surprising. One year she dug something like ten holes before choosing the perfect spot. So... umm.. Yeah. It can take a long time and they can be very picky. What a combo.

[steve]

Was the ground very dry? I think they like it if it's a little damp.

[penelope]

Fresh after a rain and on the heels of the California flooding, so the ground is nice and damp (not wet) a few feet down. It was clay, though. In the past her final choices were under the bushes planted in nice garden soil, which aligns with your point above about providing "good dirt" - indoor or out.

[steve]

My girl wanted to go after the rain too, there is definitely something there. Did she seek out that spot? My RES went back next to the spot of her previous nest.