Can tortoises produce eggs without mating?

[Minty913]

My bearded Dragon has just laid a large cluch of eggs even though she has never been near a male.

Can sullys do the same? And what signs if there are any do i need to look out for?

Minty xx

[egyptiandan64]

Yes any female tortoise can lay eggs without having been with a male. That said it's not very likely that she will though. If she were gravid and looking to lay, she'd be pacing looking for a nesting site, than trying to dig a hole with her back legs.

Danny

[Minty913]

Thanks you

something to keep my eye on, i was shocked when i found loads of eggs in my beardies enclosure.

Minty

[EJ]

I hope you're incubating them.

Originally Posted by Minty913

Thanks you

something to keep my eye on, i was shocked when i found loads of eggs in my beardies enclosure.

Minty

[Sunny]

I'm gonna add my query to this. As one of my 3 female torties have laid 2 eggs, which we have come across this morning. Think we have done the right thing by booking up to see the vet this afternoon, although its gonna cost a fortune and we don't have the money. Just wondering if there is an alternative way of trying to see if there are any more hidden eggs in the culprit.

[EJ]

If the tortoise is not stressed or acting abnormal... I don't think a vet visit is warranted.

You really can't tell if there are other eggs present without and xray but I wouldn't worry about it if everything else is normal.

Originally Posted by Sunny

I'm gonna add my query to this. As one of my 3 female torties have laid 2 eggs, which we have come across this morning. Think we have done the right thing by booking up to see the vet this afternoon, although its gonna cost a fortune and we don't have the money. Just wondering if there is an alternative way of trying to see if there are any more hidden eggs in the culprit.

[kezia911]

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

Yes any female tortoise can lay eggs without having been with a male. That said it's not very likely that she will though. If she were gravid and looking to lay, she'd be pacing looking for a nesting site, than trying to dig a hole with her back legs.

Danny

surely the female must have been with a male at some point..... or like chickens would they just lay infertile eggs?

[jandh]

Save your money , give her a chance to lay some more , she may only lay 2 .

[Minty913]

Originally Posted by kezia911

surely the female must have been with a male at some point..... or like chickens would they just lay infertile eggs?

Well with my dragon she had about 20 infertile eggs, and she has never been around a male unless she has been sneaking out lol

One thing I did notice is the eggs collapsed after a couple of day so I'm guessing trays another sign they are infertile

[Alan1]

Originally Posted by kezia911

.... or like chickens would they just lay infertile eggs?

yes, birds are the closest living relatives of torts BTW according to Attenborough