Re using a nest site

Kirkie · 07-05-2012, 11:37 PM

Has anyone ever had a problem with a tortoise reusing a nesting site?

I've got a female Boettgeri who is pacing around looking to lay what will be her third clutch of the year. *I have a 2 foot square nest box set up, its been well used already and all the eggs have been recovered. The surface temps are the same, its watered lightly daily, basically the same as before. She repeatedly returns to it but hasn't dug at all. Just wondering if theres something on her mind thats preventing her from reusing the site.

Might make a seperate site tomorrow but I'm starting to wonder if they remember where they laid before.

I had a boxie plough stright down into her*own nest site the night after she'd laid there (I'd removed the eggs) so I doubt it but wondering if anyones had a similar experience.

paulus · 08-05-2012, 08:15 AM

Apart from digging over all the soil and dampening down our female always used the same spot

Shelled Lady · 08-05-2012, 11:40 PM

She may be looking for somewhere different. Howabout some fresh soil with a different smell, might work. Other than that, some time she will have to give up, so it's just waiting!

Dazza · 15-05-2012, 08:12 PM

Mine have always dug in or around the same nest site, if conditions are right they tend to lay.

Good Luck
darren

Kirkie · 15-05-2012, 09:30 PM

Cheers Darren. She did lay in the same site eventually. One solitary egg. She's odd this year, she's laid one, two, then one. Last year was two clutches of two. She quite young with a bit of growing to do.

07-05-2012, 11:37 PM	#1
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Re using a nest site Has anyone ever had a problem with a tortoise reusing a nesting site? I've got a female Boettgeri who is pacing around looking to lay what will be her third clutch of the year. I have a 2 foot square nest box set up, its been well used already and all the eggs have been recovered. The surface temps are the same, its watered lightly daily, basically the same as before. She repeatedly returns to it but hasn't dug at all. Just wondering if theres something on her mind thats preventing her from reusing the site. Might make a seperate site tomorrow but I'm starting to wonder if they remember where they laid before. I had a boxie plough stright down into herown nest site the night after she'd laid there (I'd removed the eggs) so I doubt it but wondering if anyones had a similar experience.

08-05-2012, 08:15 AM	#2
paulus Member Hatched Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colchester Posts: 404	Apart from digging over all the soil and dampening down our female always used the same spot __________________ 1.1.4 thherc timmy, tink, Scutey and squiggle R.I.P poor Harriet, you will always be remembered 10-5-12 1.0 dog spike our border terrier 1.0.0 guinea pigs Rosie rip prince boy 0.0 rabbit baby rabbit RIP 23-9-2011

15-05-2012, 08:12 PM	#4
Dazza Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,486	Mine have always dug in or around the same nest site, if conditions are right they tend to lay. Good Luck darren __________________ www.inkaproducts.co.uk www.megaray.co.uk

08-05-2012, 11:40 PM	#3
Shelled Lady Member Juvenile Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South East Posts: 845	She may be looking for somewhere different. Howabout some fresh soil with a different smell, might work. Other than that, some time she will have to give up, so it's just waiting!

15-05-2012, 09:30 PM	#5
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Cheers Darren. She did lay in the same site eventually. One solitary egg. She's odd this year, she's laid one, two, then one. Last year was two clutches of two. She quite young with a bit of growing to do.

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