Re: Sulcata Gestation

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Posted by Toby on May 22, 2002 at 16:29:43:

In Reply to: Sulcata Gestation posted by Paul on May 22, 2002 at 11:49:48:

: Could anybody answer the following questions for me?

: How old is a male Sulcata before they can successfully impregnate a female?

Size has more to do with reproduction than age deos with tortoises. A male is usually also ready to breed before a female would be ready to produce eggs. I have heard males breeding as early as four years old.

: How old is a female Sulcata before they are fertile and can successfully have young?

See above answer.

: Is there a fertility season?

Given the right conditions, Sulcatas will breed year around and fall into there own breeding cycle.

: What is the gestation period?

Couldn't answer you this one.

: How can you tell that a female is pregnant?

A marked difference in behavior is the best way to tell. They will pace there pen and dig test nests. Right before laying they will eat less and become generally active around the pen.

: How many eggs are generally laid in one sitting (or laying) :-)

Depends on size, my female who is 65 lbs. lays 20 at a time give or take.

: Should the female be allowed to be in the presence of the eggs/new hatchlings?

No, she might inadvertently hurt them.

: How does the male normally react to the newly hatch eggs? (i.e. does he attack and try to eat them?)

They usually are not around in the wild, and in captivity the eggs should be in a controlled environment.

: The reason for the questions is that we have a male and a female sulcata and the male has been getting a little frisky lately (despite the runny nose).

: Thanks!

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: : Could anybody answer the following questions for me? : : How old is a male Sulcata before they can successfully impregnate a female? : Size has more to do with reproduction than age deos with tortoises. A male is usually also ready to breed before a female would be ready to produce eggs. I have heard males breeding as early as four years old. : : How old is a female Sulcata before they are fertile and can successfully have young? : See above answer. : : Is there a fertility season? : Given the right conditions, Sulcatas will breed year around and fall into there own breeding cycle. : : What is the gestation period? : Couldn't answer you this one. : : How can you tell that a female is pregnant? : A marked difference in behavior is the best way to tell. They will pace there pen and dig test nests. Right before laying they will eat less and become generally active around the pen. : : How many eggs are generally laid in one sitting (or laying) :-) : Depends on size, my female who is 65 lbs. lays 20 at a time give or take. : : Should the female be allowed to be in the presence of the eggs/new hatchlings? : No, she might inadvertently hurt them. : : How does the male normally react to the newly hatch eggs? (i.e. does he attack and try to eat them?) : They usually are not around in the wild, and in captivity the eggs should be in a controlled environment. : : The reason for the questions is that we have a male and a female sulcata and the male has been getting a little frisky lately (despite the runny nose). : : Thanks!

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