I didnt expect that! - Page 2

Suze65 · 06-03-2013, 03:29 PM

Dan, am I right in thinking that the female can mate and hang on to the sperm for up to two or more years and still lay fertile eggs from that one mating, or have I read something somewhere once that's a load of rubbish

alley cat · 06-03-2013, 06:32 PM

Ok the weights are in!

The 10 eggs left weigh collectively 203g + say another 40 for the 2 that broke, so a total of 243g.

When I weighed this morning Aggie was - 97g
Myrtle + 37g
Gertrude + 18g

There was a small amount of food in there so it is possible that they could have eaten also

So a little inconclusive really unless there is any other way of telling?

My quess would be that Aggie laid a large number of eggs and that it is possble that Gertrude also laid maybe 2 (she laid 2 clutches last year each containing 2) but I dont think that Myrtle has laid any yet. I suppose that it may become clearer as they each lay again depending on the interval.

What do you all think????

Lane · 06-03-2013, 07:08 PM

thats amaaazing

i hope they all hatch <3

**egyptiandan64** · 06-03-2013, 08:32 PM

It depends on the species of tortoise Suze, but I've found that Testudo don't retain sperm for another laying season. They do retain the sperm from spring matings and can lay up to 6 clutches from that mating. They don't as far as I know the the correct organs to keep sperm alive for more than one season.

Are some of the eggs larger than the others Alley? Usually eggs of a 2 egg clutch should be much larger than eggs from a 10 egg clutch.

Danny

alley cat · 06-03-2013, 08:40 PM

Hi Danny, they range from 18g to 22g, so about the same as last years.

**egyptiandan64** · 06-03-2013, 08:48 PM

With the weight of the eggs, it's just not possible for Aggie to have laid even 10 of them. How long ago was Gertrude running around?

Danny

alley cat · 06-03-2013, 08:56 PM

Right up to when I put her in the greenhouse, she is a boistrous tort anyway! but she hates being enclosed and had been pacing for days, Aggie and Gertrude had both been mounting Myrtle and doing the noise and everything, it was embarrassing when I had visitors here!

Catwoman63 · 06-03-2013, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alley cat

Right up to when I put her in the greenhouse, she is a boistrous tort anyway! but she hates being enclosed and had been pacing for days, Aggie and Gertrude had both been mounting Myrtle and doing the noise and everything, it was embarrassing when I had visitors here!

Ha ha that's funny, my Xena has been pacing and itching to get out, tried to bite zelda a leg but no mounting, so I think she's just fruity and looking for lurvvvv.

I'm looking forward to seeing your eggs hatch x

alley cat · 06-03-2013, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catwoman63

I'm looking forward to seeing your eggs hatch x

Ha ha they are not exactly mine

made me laugh though, I know what you mean!
Are yours likely to lay this year?

burnt toast · 06-03-2013, 11:12 PM

Amazing, congratulations! One of my lazy madams tries to push the others out the way when they are diggin.

06-03-2013, 03:29 PM	#11
Suze65 Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 6,769	Dan, am I right in thinking that the female can mate and hang on to the sperm for up to two or more years and still lay fertile eggs from that one mating, or have I read something somewhere once that's a load of rubbish __________________ Suze. 3 THB, Sammy, Jemima, & Phoebe 7 Marginated, Tabitha, Ptolome, Tatiana, Noah,Lottey, Lulu & Poppy 1 TGG (Emma) RIP Feb 2012

06-03-2013, 08:32 PM	#14
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	It depends on the species of tortoise Suze, but I've found that Testudo don't retain sperm for another laying season. They do retain the sperm from spring matings and can lay up to 6 clutches from that mating. They don't as far as I know the the correct organs to keep sperm alive for more than one season. Are some of the eggs larger than the others Alley? Usually eggs of a 2 egg clutch should be much larger than eggs from a 10 egg clutch. Danny __________________

06-03-2013, 08:48 PM	#16
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	With the weight of the eggs, it's just not possible for Aggie to have laid even 10 of them. How long ago was Gertrude running around? Danny __________________

06-03-2013, 06:32 PM	#12
alley cat Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,150	Ok the weights are in! The 10 eggs left weigh collectively 203g + say another 40 for the 2 that broke, so a total of 243g. When I weighed this morning Aggie was - 97g Myrtle + 37g Gertrude + 18g There was a small amount of food in there so it is possible that they could have eaten also So a little inconclusive really unless there is any other way of telling? My quess would be that Aggie laid a large number of eggs and that it is possble that Gertrude also laid maybe 2 (she laid 2 clutches last year each containing 2) but I dont think that Myrtle has laid any yet. I suppose that it may become clearer as they each lay again depending on the interval. What do you all think????

06-03-2013, 07:08 PM	#13
Lane Member Hatched Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 253	thats amaaazing i hope they all hatch <3

06-03-2013, 08:40 PM	#15
alley cat Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,150	Hi Danny, they range from 18g to 22g, so about the same as last years.

06-03-2013, 08:56 PM	#17
alley cat Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,150	Right up to when I put her in the greenhouse, she is a boistrous tort anyway! but she hates being enclosed and had been pacing for days, Aggie and Gertrude had both been mounting Myrtle and doing the noise and everything, it was embarrassing when I had visitors here!

06-03-2013, 11:12 PM	#20
burnt toast Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,246	Amazing, congratulations! One of my lazy madams tries to push the others out the way when they are diggin.

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