Berts Age

Question
QUESTION: I have a slider that is 2.5 years old, her shell is 11.5+" in length and she weighs 7.2 pounds already.  She is a "virgin" - and a big gal!  I took her for a check-up and her calcium levels are very high.  The vet told me she was going to lay eggs within the next 3 months and to build her a habitat outside for her to begin nesting.  Eggs - how?  "Bert" is not interested in the ReptiBark and moss habitat.  Her tail has thickened at the base and I am wondering if she has to lay them outside?  I am wondering what to expect?  Thanks, in advance, for any help or advice.

ANSWER: No one has ever proven pathenogenesis ('virgin birth') in turtles, but we do know they can store sperm for years, and that females can lay infertile eggs on their own.

It can be tough to create a good nesting site indoors, but she would want a nice deep container of about 50/50 sand and good rich leaf litter loam, partially decomposed mulch, etc. Outdoors, dig a hole near the beach and refill it with the loosened soil adn some sand, leaves, etc.

If she lays them in the water, the eggs are automatically infertile (and this is what I am betting on). If she nests, the eggs should hatch out in about 30-60 days if kept warm and humid. You can find more info at http://www.austinsturtlepage.com.

By the way- 2.5 years is kinda young to be 11 inches- where did you get that age from? If rnig counts, understand that they are terribly inaccurate. I'm betting she is more like 5-10 years old.

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

QUESTION: Bert was found just over 2.5 years ago on /Thanksgiving.  I was tilling soil in my flower bed to plant tulips bulbs and found a very small shell packed in the mud - about 8" deep from the surface.  (Note: I do not live by any water sources, lakes, creeks, etc.) I brought the shell inside and began washing it off in the sink with the veggie sprayer.  Within a minute or two, out pops a leg, then another leg until she emerged!  She was just smaller than a 50 cent piece.  I guess because of our regiment, she has grown rapidly - going from a 10, to 20, to 55, and now to an 80 gallon tank.  the vet anticipates approx. 6" more in growth.  She is not a red-eared slider, but appears to be a slider cousin according to the Dallas Aquarium.  Our guess on age - along with the vet - is about 2.5 yr. since she was a tiny hatchling when found.  We think she is a bit of a rarity. :)  And thanks for your insights and quick response!

Answer
You might look at http://www.austinsturtlepage.com for the World of Turtles gallery to help ID it- there are not a lot of sliders that get bigger than 15-16".

When we measure a turtle, we use 'straight-line carapace' measurements- the shell from just behind the head to the shell just above the tail in a straight line, not along the curve. (Easier to do with calipers than with a ruler!)

Good luck!