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female painted turtle

22 16:16:24

Question
QUESTION: Hello Yexalen, We know we have a painted turtle, up until last week we thought it to be a male. Out of the blue she laid an egg, just one. We know it won't hatch as she has always been alone. Our question is, is it normal to lay just one egg? We are worried she may be impacted with eggs that didn't come out. Any way to find out? We have had her since she was a baby, she has a wonderful home and we want to make sure she stays healthy after laying just one egg. Thank you, Jane

ANSWER: Hi Jane, it is very possible she still has eggs in her. Usually the first lay consist of average 2 eggs but they will lay multiple times a year. So right now provide her with a proper lay area ( I can help with information on this if you need it) and if she doesn't lay anymore in a few days then take her to the vet for an xray they will tell you if she still has eggs and if so they can tell you the next step. If she will have to be induced or if you should wait it out. But now you know she is a female her laying area should be available to her 24/7.

People say that when you pick up a gravid turtle (a turtle carrying eggs) that you can gently feel the underside of her shell and you can feel the eggs. I have never been able to with my turtles but its worth a shot. Do NOT press hard as you can break the eggs and that would be VERY bad for her. Maybe I just was too paranoid of pushing too hard to be able to find any eggs. But all in all a vet is the safest thing right now.

Best of luck
Yexalen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Yexalen, Thank you for your help! Our turtle did lay one more egg a week later. She seems fine. We are paying close attention to her. I would appreciate help in setting up the perfect lay area for her. Thank you,  Jane

Answer
Hello Jane,

The lay area should be at least 4 inches deep. And the length and width of her shell. Larger the area the better.

You want to fill this area with a 50/50 mixture of Sand and Organic Potting Soil. This mixture should be moist to the touch but you should be able to hold it in your hand and squeeze it without any liquid dropping out.
This lay site should be the basking spot up and out of the water with the same basking temperatures.



Here are some pictures of example Lay Sites::::

This one is my favorite style:

Made by aquarium sealant silicone and strong plexiglass

http://www.unc.edu/~dtkirkpa/stuff/tank3.jpg

Second Favorite similar to the first one:

http://www.glasscages.com/gc2/prodpics/turtle_loweredplat.jpg

And a cheaper perhaps easier way to build it:

http://www.unc.edu/~dtkirkpa/stuff/tank1.jpg


Here is a picture of my temporary lay site for my turtle when she first became gravid (pregnatn) it was an emergency lay area needed ASAP
Made with a brand new cat litter pan with attached legs to lift it out of the water and the cat litter pan filled with the substrate. In the photo you will see river rocks that is because it was the regular basking spot before the turtle was old enough to lay. Once she was mating with the other turtle we removed the rock and replaced it with the sand soil mix.

(Sorry about the quality I took the picture with my cell phone)

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t17/Yexalenx/TurtleTank.jpg

Let me know if that helps
Yexalen