In the wild, Russian tortoises may not begin laying eggs until they are 15-20 years old. However, in captivity, an adult female Russian tortoise can start laying eggs between 4 and 6 years old. If the female tortoise is housed by herself, the eggs will not be fertile and you can throw them away. On the other hand, if the female Russian tortoise is housed with another tortoise, you should confirm if the other tortoise is male or female. If the other tortoise is 100% a female, then the eggs are not fertile, however if the other Russian tortoise is a male, the eggs could be fertile.
Often times, a female tortoise’s first clutch is infertile. The only want to confirm is to incubate the eggs. After a few days to a week, you can candle the eggs to confirm whether or not the eggs are fertile.
Is My Female Russian Tortoise pregnant?
At first, the tortoise will not have any outer signs that she is pregnant, or gravid. However, a pregnant Russian tortoise will quickly begin to show signs that she is with eggs. It only takes about a month after mating before the Russian tortoise will lay eggs.
A pregnant Russian tortoise may experience changes in appetite and behavior. The tortoise may have a lack of appetite, but continue to gain weight. She may become restless and start to pace the habitat. The tortoise will also start to dig test nest sites throughout the habitat.
Are the Tortoise Eggs Fertile?
Eggs are laid a transparent, pink-ish color all over. It will take a few days to a week to confirm if the eggs are fertile or infertile.
Fertile Russian tortoise eggs will “chalk,” which is basically where the shell starts to whiten with a white circle or band around the egg.
Infertile eggs will begin to mold. Infertile eggs will also start to dent and become less firm. But before throwing out moldy eggs, make sure to candle them, especially if your female Russian tortoise has been around a male tortoise.
How to Candle Tortoise Eggs?
To candle an egg allows you to see what’s going on inside the egg. Turn the light off in the room and shine a small, bright flashlight directly on the egg.
Candling the eggs will confirm if the Russian tortoise eggs are fertile or infertile. You see red veins throughout the eggs if they are fertile. You’ll also see a dark spot begin to develop. The dark spot will grow as the baby tortoise inside the egg grows.
If you candle freshly laid eggs, you may not see dark red veins. Give the eggs 2-4 weeks before you really see anything. Also, remember the further along the egg is, the darker it will be as the baby tortoise will begin to fill up the entire inside of the egg.
How Many Eggs Do Russian Tortoises Lay?
Female Russian tortoises will lay 2-5 eggs per clutch. Eggs are typically laid between early-May to mid-July. The female tortoise will lay 2-3 times a year with each clutch being laid between a few weeks to a month a part.
Incubation Period of Russian Tortoise Eggs
Once laid, Russian tortoises will incubate for about 8 to 12 weeks before hatching. If the eggs are incubated at lower temperatures, eggs will incubate on the longer side before the eggs being to hatch.
Once the tortoise begins to pip, it can take a few days before the hatchling Russian tortoise is completely out of the egg.
