red-eared slider laying eggs

[aditti]

Hi guys!

This is my very first post here.

I'm from the Philippines and there isn't so much documentation about the red-eared turtle in our local bookstore, so I thought maybe this forum will be able to answer my questions.

My slider is huge.. around 7.5 inches from top to bottom of its carapace. It seems pretty aggressive too when picked up from its big basin of water... hissy noises and kicks/scratches a lot. We feed it a everyday around 3 tbsp. of turtle pellets. It is around 3-4 yrs old.

Turns out, its a she. Was becoming too big to keep as a pet so I sold her to a breeder. When my dad found out, he wasn't so happy with that idea coz he believes it was *his* **lucky** turtle I sold. Long story short, I was able to eventually get the turtle back but the breeder said he already mated the turtle.

Now, I don't know what to do. Can anyone tell me how many week/months until the turtle will lay the eggs? How do I set-up an adequate nesting area? If I don't prepare a nesting area, will the turtle die if it won't be able to lay its eggs (since I'm not really sure if the breeding was successful)?

[nomadbean]

Here is some info on breeding red-ear sliders. You do need a good nest site for her..Once-if- she lays eggs you may want to think about NOT incubating them, there are so many of these little guys out there already. Just a thought, here is the info you need.
http://www.redearslider.com/index_basic_care_3.html
Good luck with her.
Trina
OMNIherp, LLC

[HisssssyFit]

Welcome to the site, I'm know nothing of turtles but when I did a websearch I came up with this site

http://www.geocities.com/fleaworld/ They have information on creating a nest for them to lay, there are lots others just type in red eared slider and loads will come up. Good luck

[aditti]

Thanks for the replies. Egg binding was helpful info. I guess I really have to prepare some nesting ground.

Do you think, instead of putting her inside a tank with soil, I can instead put her on the garden with some fencing? Thanks

[nomadbean]

If it is warm where you are, there are no pesticides and she has a "pool" to swim in, she should be fine outside. Make sure it does not get too cool at night for her though.
Trina
OMNIherp, LLC

[aditti]

Thanks.. yup, it is quite warm in my part of the world (Hershey bars would often go squishy at room temp). hehe We are planning on putting her outside but near a shaded area so that she won't get heatstroke.