You think tortoises go to a lot of trouble...

[Kirkie]

Just took this fuzzy photo. My Ornate box turtle digging a nest.



Second clutch, 21 days after the first.

[TillyTortoise]

Wow never seen a Box turtle nest before. So do they did a hole then dig a smaller chamber to lay the eggs in?

[Catwoman63]

great photo, looks like shes getting stuck in.....literally lol x

[alley cat]

Where is she planning on laying them, Australia!?

I had no idea that they dug so deep!

[Kirkie]

Originally Posted by TillyTortoise

Wow never seen a Box turtle nest before. So do they did a hole then dig a smaller chamber to lay the eggs in?

Exactly. This is what Ornate box turtles do. They're only about 5 inches long but the eggs are usually 7-8 inches down.

I found her asleep in the hole this morning so she didn't lay but she often has a few trial runs before laying.

[NATURALIS]

keep them egg's coming Dave

[egyptiandan64]

Box turtle wise I have only seen Ornates do this Ross All the Terrapene carolina subspecies stay on the surface and dig a nest.

Danny

[EJ]

Very neat photo.

You might elaborate on the habitat this Boxie comes from... usually very dry. Eastern boxies and their cousans usually do not go to this extent... at least in the wild. The ornate seems to have a similar nesting pattern to the Sulcata... which occupies a very similar habitat in Africa.

Originally Posted by Kirkie

Exactly. This is what Ornate box turtles do. They're only about 5 inches long but the eggs are usually 7-8 inches down.

I found her asleep in the hole this morning so she didn't lay but she often has a few trial runs before laying.

[Kirkie]

Indeed Ed. *I'd presume that lack of body length combined with high ground temperatures in the habitat these inhabit make the extra depth a necessity. Similar to the yellow mud who does similar or the *three striped mud who'll choose a nest site under a shade plant in preference to open ground to combat high temperatures and little legs.

Anyhoo, three eggs were laid by this girl last night, might try a lower incubation temp this time (apparently males are quite scarce ) and a bonus clutch of 4
Kinosternon Baurii eggs laid today too.

[EJ]

Moisture probably plays a part.

They are relatively common in the areas the occur in.

You gotta watch those sweeping statements. With my leopards I found it is highly individual oriented. Some like to nest in the shade under cover and some like to nest out in the open

I've found Boxies, Snappers, Painteds, Striped Musks and Eastern muds nesting in the wild. Each nesting followed the same pattern mentioned. I could only guess why the individuals pick specific sites.

Remember... there are micro habitats that are very different than the general habitat.

Originally Posted by Kirkie

Indeed Ed. *I'd presume that lack of body length combined with high ground temperatures in the habitat these inhabit make the extra depth a necessity. Similar to the yellow mud who does similar or the *three striped mud who'll choose a nest site under a shade plant in preference to open ground to combat high temperatures and little legs.

Anyhoo, three eggs were laid by this girl last night, might try a lower incubation temp this time (apparently males are quite scarce ) and a bonus clutch of 4
Kinosternon Baurii eggs laid today too.