Pacing/gravid

shootinglou79 · 03-07-2009, 12:39 PM

Abit of a daft question but here goes

Yesterday one of my female margies was pacing for hours on end in her outdoor enclosure, i sat and watched her for hours doing comical things, she would pace, stop, sniff then lift her arse/tail into a pooing/weeing position, then slightly push (but no poo/wee) then she carried on to do the same in another spot, this occurred all day yesterday with hardly no breaks in between, is she looking for a decent spot to off load her doo dah's

or could she be gravid

Esio Trot II · 03-07-2009, 01:08 PM

It is very likely that she is gravid at 9 years old, has she laid before?
I have 2 Hermans and the female, about the same age, does a similar thing, searching for the perfect spot to lay, and this may take a couple of days. During this time it is best not to disturb her, as this can hinder the laying process.
I have never known of a tort searching for a place to 'Doo-Dah' so i think you should count that out.

tortoise_dude · 03-07-2009, 01:47 PM

Hiya Linz,

Did she do any leg wiggling at all? Yanni does the tail wiggle and her tail looks slightly larger when she is gravid. Keep an eye on her

Is she straining?

Josh

**sarah** · 03-07-2009, 02:01 PM

I think this weather is doing weird things to all our tortoises. My hermann females are pacing all the time im unsure if they have eggs.

shootinglou79 · 03-07-2009, 02:58 PM

Thats just it Sarah, i dunno if its the weather making her play funny beggars, but it hasnt effected the other torts, they were fast asleep/soaking the rays, it was just her.

Josh i never noticed any wriggling just straining, also yes her tail is HUGE, almost looks like she has already laid, it looks very swollen, so maybe she is close to laying, i dont know!! and she feels solid.

Esio Trot II this will be her 1st time if she's gravid and thanks.

Dawn Fletcher · 03-07-2009, 03:55 PM

if i were you i would be making her a nesting site poor boiling hot water over an area of soil.........the smell of the moist soil attracts them

Dawn

shootinglou79 · 03-07-2009, 04:12 PM

I already did this yesterday in several places, even dug/forked half the enclosure to the soften the soil, today she is alot calmer, although her tail looks as if she has already laid, iv searched and nothing.

Dawn Fletcher · 03-07-2009, 04:17 PM

what about her weight has she lost some weight?

This is why I always keep records of their weights, because it enables you to see which ones might become gravid and also tell when they have indeed laid their eggs.

Dawn

shootinglou79 · 03-07-2009, 04:21 PM

I do keep records, i weigh mine monthly, she's put 89grams on which is why i think she hasnt laid yet, i'll just have to stalk her and see what happens.

Dawn Fletcher · 03-07-2009, 04:28 PM

I have noticed that mine tend to loose about 20 grams or so before they actually lay...i guess this is down to constant pacing and not eating prior to laying.

Dawn

03-07-2009, 12:39 PM	#1
shootinglou79 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,743	Pacing/gravid Abit of a daft question but here goes Yesterday one of my female margies was pacing for hours on end in her outdoor enclosure, i sat and watched her for hours doing comical things, she would pace, stop, sniff then lift her arse/tail into a pooing/weeing position, then slightly push (but no poo/wee) then she carried on to do the same in another spot, this occurred all day yesterday with hardly no breaks in between, is she looking for a decent spot to off load her doo dah's or could she be gravid

03-07-2009, 02:01 PM	#4
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	I think this weather is doing weird things to all our tortoises. My hermann females are pacing all the time im unsure if they have eggs. __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

03-07-2009, 01:08 PM	#2
Esio Trot II Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 41	It is very likely that she is gravid at 9 years old, has she laid before? I have 2 Hermans and the female, about the same age, does a similar thing, searching for the perfect spot to lay, and this may take a couple of days. During this time it is best not to disturb her, as this can hinder the laying process. I have never known of a tort searching for a place to 'Doo-Dah' so i think you should count that out.

03-07-2009, 01:47 PM	#3
tortoise_dude Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 265	Hiya Linz, Did she do any leg wiggling at all? Yanni does the tail wiggle and her tail looks slightly larger when she is gravid. Keep an eye on her Is she straining? Josh

03-07-2009, 02:58 PM	#5
shootinglou79 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,743	Thats just it Sarah, i dunno if its the weather making her play funny beggars, but it hasnt effected the other torts, they were fast asleep/soaking the rays, it was just her. Josh i never noticed any wriggling just straining, also yes her tail is HUGE, almost looks like she has already laid, it looks very swollen, so maybe she is close to laying, i dont know!! and she feels solid. Esio Trot II this will be her 1st time if she's gravid and thanks.

03-07-2009, 03:55 PM	#6
Dawn Fletcher Banned Sub Adult Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 1,174	if i were you i would be making her a nesting site poor boiling hot water over an area of soil.........the smell of the moist soil attracts them Dawn

03-07-2009, 04:12 PM	#7
shootinglou79 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,743	I already did this yesterday in several places, even dug/forked half the enclosure to the soften the soil, today she is alot calmer, although her tail looks as if she has already laid, iv searched and nothing.

03-07-2009, 04:17 PM	#8
Dawn Fletcher Banned Sub Adult Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 1,174	what about her weight has she lost some weight? This is why I always keep records of their weights, because it enables you to see which ones might become gravid and also tell when they have indeed laid their eggs. Dawn

03-07-2009, 04:21 PM	#9
shootinglou79 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,743	I do keep records, i weigh mine monthly, she's put 89grams on which is why i think she hasnt laid yet, i'll just have to stalk her and see what happens.

03-07-2009, 04:28 PM	#10
Dawn Fletcher Banned Sub Adult Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 1,174	I have noticed that mine tend to loose about 20 grams or so before they actually lay...i guess this is down to constant pacing and not eating prior to laying. Dawn

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