Leaving eggs in the ground

GemmaD · 02-05-2023, 11:06 PM

Does anyone know how quickly you need to get eggs out of the ground and into the incubator? It's for a Mediterranean Spur Thigh tortoise. Thanks for your help!

Gordon · 03-05-2023, 07:21 AM

This all depends as to where they are laid, if outside then I would dig them up straight away as there is a good chance something will predate them ( rats birds or even foxes ).
If in the greenhouse they should be fine for a couple of weeks as long as another tortoise doesn't want to lay in the same place.
I have dug up Herman's eggs that have been in the ground for two weeks and all hatched but make sure you do not turn them as if the ground is warm enough they will of started to develop.

GemmaD · 03-05-2023, 08:34 PM

Thank you very much, that's really helpful!

02-05-2023, 11:06 PM	#1
GemmaD Junior Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 33	Leaving eggs in the ground Does anyone know how quickly you need to get eggs out of the ground and into the incubator? It's for a Mediterranean Spur Thigh tortoise. Thanks for your help!

03-05-2023, 07:21 AM	#2
Gordon Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 5,675	This all depends as to where they are laid, if outside then I would dig them up straight away as there is a good chance something will predate them ( rats birds or even foxes ). If in the greenhouse they should be fine for a couple of weeks as long as another tortoise doesn't want to lay in the same place. I have dug up Herman's eggs that have been in the ground for two weeks and all hatched but make sure you do not turn them as if the ground is warm enough they will of started to develop.

03-05-2023, 08:34 PM	#3
GemmaD Junior Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 33	Thank you very much, that's really helpful!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)