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

[Kirkie]

Ok but I found ground cover to be the key to getting my K. Baurii to lay. A nest box of sand with a 50% covering of moss; they choose the moss side every time so far. If I made the site cooler overall it might not be the case but they might lose the incentive to use it.

This is a good article, I've got the full version somewhere if any Baurii keepers are interested.

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/1...A%5D2.0.CO%3B2

[EJ]

If you can dig it up I'd be interested in reading the whole article.

Originally Posted by Kirkie

Ok but I found ground cover to be the key to getting my K. Baurii to lay. A nest box of sand with a 50% covering of moss; they choose the moss side every time so far. If I made the site cooler overall it might not be the case but they might lose the incentive to use it.

This is a good article, I've got the full version somewhere if any Baurii keepers are interested.

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/1...A%5D2.0.CO%3B2

[Kirkie]

Did you read it?*

I know it was a limited study area but I'd say that based on the data that ground cover was the primary factor in nest site selection for the turtles in that study group. Soil moisture content was similar on both open ground and the covered ground. Soil Temperatures were up to 6C higher on the open ground so with a low critical maximum *egg temperature of 32C (as per the paper) it makes sense to lay eggs in the shade of a plant if you don't/can't dig very deep.

[EJ]

I did read it. It was interesting in context. As you say different chelonians are going to choose a site that is most likely to allow the eggs to hatch... They seem to do this instinctively but do seem to have individual preferences.

Originally Posted by Kirkie

Did you read it?*

I know it was a limited study area but I'd say that based on the data that ground cover was the primary factor in nest site selection for the turtles in that study group. Soil moisture content was similar on both open ground and the covered ground. Soil Temperatures were up to 6C higher on the open ground so with a low critical maximum *egg temperature of 32C (as per the paper) it makes sense to lay eggs in the shade of a plant if you don't/can't dig very deep.

[Kirkie]

Clutch one are on their way out.

[Easter Bunny]

Yay!! Lots of photos please xx

[Kirkie]

Originally Posted by Kirkie

Ok but I found ground cover to be the key to getting my K. Baurii to lay. A nest box of sand with a 50% covering of moss; they choose the moss side every time so far. If I made the site cooler overall it might not be the case but they might lose the incentive to use it.

This is a good article, I've got the full version somewhere if any Baurii keepers are interested.

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/1...A%5D2.0.CO%3B2

I've just walked in on a Baurii nesting. Not a great pic as I'm not sure if she's starting or finishing. But her rear is the end tucked under the moss.