Box Turtle Eggs
Now this was a surprise. Our box turtle’s have left us a couple of eggs. Well, we hope the work was both theirs. Actually, although we are going to guard them and keep them warm, we do not have a great amount of hope that they will hatch. From what we read, it is incredibly unlikely and even if they do hatch the survival rate is tiny. Still, we do hold some hope and now that we know they are fertile the work on the pond area has increased. In fact, additional plans have been added now that we’ve looked into optimum conditions for their off spring to survive.
Box Turtle Eggs
Mom is pictured below. If you look at the top of her shell, you will see one of the reasons we were so surprised. She is not in good health. That giant dent in the top of her shell is probably the result of a run in with a lawn mower when she was younger. It might also be due to a diet or sunlight deficiency as the result of captivity. Often times such critters are captured by people who mean no harm but who have no idea what a turtle needs to thrive.
Mama Box Turtle
Although we are not experts, we are doing what we can to provide a natural and safe habitat from which they can leave if they choose. We only rescue critters in need. When we found this one, she was in horrible health. Her shell color hints at malnutrition and lack of sunlight, but with the deformity I can’t be sure it isn’t the result of an injury.
She and her mate were found in the same general location, a housing development which replaced their ancestral home. Hopefully, they will both choose to make this their new ancestral home. So far, she shows very little interest in leaving. Although she is not completely free range yet, she roams the garden and pond area for hours on end. When ever let out, she doesn’t stray further than food and water can be found.
We are looking into the requirements to become an official turtle rescue.
Ok Ducks, the turtles and chickens are both laying eggs.
What’s your problem?
Congratulations on your eggs. Let’s hope they hatch. You may want to research turtle egg incubation, as it is my understanding that you do now want to warm them too much. Also, be careful to not rotate the egg at all when moving it. One method to be sure, is to pencil an X on the top of the egg.
One thing you may want to look into is getting your State Wildlife Rehabilitator license. This will permit you to care for sick animals, should you encounter any in the future. Turtles have an amazing ability to recover illness and physical injury. Your female is a great example of this. People may find a turtle with a severe shell fracture, and think that the animal needs to be put out of its misery, when often, an experienced Rehabilitator would be able to repair the fracture and return the animal back to the wild.
I belief that a license to collect animals it a bit more difficult to obtain.