Red-footed tortoise

Question
I have had a mated pair of red-footed tortoises for many years. I have had one clutch of eggs that were not fertile. This summer I have seen a lot of mating activity. Since they are outside all summer, it is difficult to tell when she actually builds her nest and lays hers eggs.  I try to check on them every day,but can someone tell me approximately how long after observing mating that I might expect to have her start digging a nest>

Bob

Answer
Hi Bob,

Eggs can be produced about 4-6 weeks after mating activity begins, but that's just a ballpark estimate.  Females can delay egg development until they feel the time is optimum, and they often will have certain times of the year when they prefer to lay.  It's usually easier to observe the female's behavior as a clue to when she's ready to lay.  They will become very restless, so watch for her moving constantly around the enclosure.  They will also lose their appetite just before laying, and may display uncharacteristically aggressive/dominant behavior, including mounting other tortoises.

They like to lay in wet, even muddy soil, so keep an eye on those areas.  Sometimes you can create a nesting area by providing mounds of moist top soil, but don't rely on her laying there because at times they'll lay in very odd places.  Catching nests is tricky, as you've discovered!

They have a long incubation period--up to four months, and I've heard of eggs hatching even later than that.  So keep any eggs in the incubator until you're sure they're duds (until they explode).

Here's a link to incubation information.  Good luck with your egg hunt!

http://redfoottortoise.com/redfoot_eggs.htm