Other Turtle Discussion :: nesting boxes

[scripta_elegans]

Spike is turning 4 soon, and I am thinking of getting a nesting box ready for when she needs it. I am thinkng of using a big tupperware bin, but I am unsure if that's enough space for her to be comfortable. What have other people done for this? I will be able to take her outside by May, but I think I should have a back up plan too. I know it needs to be at least 12 inches deep, but the surface area is kind of a gray area.

[steve]

Hey Scripta!

I don't think anyone on this board has had any luck with indoor nesting boxes including me and my girl was positively gravid.

I think time+size are the main issues here. The box needs to be large enough that your RES can roam around, even find areas to hide. Perhaps if you do have an area setup, you can put Spike in there regularly so she can become familiar with it.

[scripta_elegans]

Hi Steve! I know that the girls don't like the boxes, but I have this funny feeling that she is going to be gravid before I can get her outside. This is pure speculation, but I do want to be prepared. My most recent idea involves redoing her basking area to incorporate a nesting area approximately the same size as the top of her aquarium. The tricky part is going to be getting it not to float, because the 12 inches of nesting material will have to extend into the water. I hope that won't be an issue for her instincts if the area is dry enough. I don't want to keep it there indefinetly though, because she WILL drag tons of it into the water.
On another note, did you dig holes for your girl to dig in outside? I didn't think she could plow through the grass so I made 2 by 2 holes in a few different places. She didn't seem to interested in them though. But then she also wasn't gravid...

[steve]

I think the idea of an in-tank nesting area has been brought up before, but I'm not sure if it was actually implemented. On the other hand, nesting areas adjacent to the tank has been done before, though I don't know how they turned out.

My girl made the holes herself... she had a spot picked out in a few minutes outside. However, the ground was dirt and not grass. She picked areas close to the fence and partially shaded, if that helps. But yes, she should be gravid to dig