How To Breed Turtles: Vet-Reviewed Reproduction Process & Facts
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Turtles are reptiles that have a shell that protrudes from the ribs. The order of animals includes tortoises, but when people talk about turtles, they are often referring to aquatic turtles, which include sea turtles. These have the same shell, and they require water to survive, although they may spend large portions of their lives out of the water and living on land.
Turtles are slow-moving animals that generally live for many decades, with some species potentially living up to 100 years or more, because they are reptiles, they are cold-blooded which means that they have to rely on external heat sources, such as those provided by heat lamps but also the sun, to stay warm. Turtles lay eggs as part of the reproductive process and female turtles can lay eggs, albeit unfertilized eggs, even without a male.
Where it is legal, breeding turtles in captivity can be a difficult process that generally requires the incubation of the eggs to ensure that they maintain a healthy temperature throughout the process. In some countries, breeding may be illegal, and in some cases, even the keeping of certain species of turtle, especially protected species, can be against the law.
About Turtles
Turtles are reptiles with a shell that is an extension of their ribs. The shells are designed to protect the animals from predators and because they are so effective, the turtles are slow-moving. They don’t attempt to run away or become aggressive if they see a potential predator, instead relying on their protective coating.
Turtles of different species live right across the globe, and there are hundreds of different species including some aquatic species as well as those that cannot swim. The turtle genus has been around for approximately 200 million years, which means they were around at the time of the dinosaurs.
Turtles As Pets
As pets, Turtles are intriguing and fun to watch, but they aren’t the most interactive of species. They can’t be walked or trained but they are intriguing, and their slow-moving nature is calming and can be quite relaxing. Unless you live in the natural habitat of your Turtle species, you will need to keep an enclosure with appropriate temperature and humidity levels.
Many, although not all, pet Turtles will go into a state of brumation when external temperatures drop. Brumation is similar to hibernation, in that the animal’s body and metabolism slow to a virtual standstill until the temperature warms up again. The Turtle does not need to eat and rarely needs to drink during this stage.
Turtle Breeding
Most species of Turtles lay eggs annually. They will lay multiple clutches over weeks or months and can have several hundred eggs a season. Young turtles have a high mortality rate. Their shells have not fully developed which means that they can be easy pickings for larger predators, while some die of other causes.
How Are They Bred in Captivity?
It is also possible to breed captive Turtles, although you should check local laws to ensure that it is legal to do so. And, if you are planning to sell young Turtles, be aware that some states and countries have laws regarding the sale of young Turtles.
Generally, the breeding process requires having a male and female, creating ideal conditions, and then waiting for eggs to be laid. Incubation will usually be necessary to ensure that the eggs are kept at an appropriate temperature. Most Turtles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination, which means that eggs kept at lower temperatures will be male and those at higher temperatures will be female. There is a small overlap where the young may be male or female. This means that, as the earth’s temperature rises as a result of climate change, some species may become extinct because all of the young born will be female.
The 7-Step Process
In some cases, simply keeping a male and female Turtle together may result in the birth of some young. However, to ensure or improve the chances of success, there are some steps you can follow:
1. A Breeding Group
You need males and females for successful breeding and to ensure the fertilization of laid eggs. It can be beneficial to have more females to males, with a ratio of around 5 females to 2 males. However, you need to ensure that you can care properly for this many turtles and that you have the enclosure space.
2. Be Prepared
You should ensure that you have everything ready before you put your Turtles together because things can move quickly, and you may not notice that your females are gravid until they lay. If you are using an incubator, ensure it is ready, and have extra enclosures for your hatchlings ready to go.
3. Create a Nesting Area
The enclosure should include a nesting area. This is the area where the females will lay their eggs. Generally, it should be filled with soft soil and surrounded by rocks, and it should be well sheltered. The soil will need to be approximately a foot deep.
4. Cool Your Turtles
In the wild, Turtles will mate during cooler months, so you need to try and replicate these conditions to increase the chance of successful mating. The temperature of the enclosure should be down at about 55°F for approximately 2 months.
5. Feed Your Turtles
Make sure the Turtles are well-fed. In particular, the female will need a good supply of vitamin D3 because this ensures healthy egg growth. Choose foods that naturally provide or encourage the synthesis of D3.
6. Incubate the Eggs
Your Turtle should lay her eggs, in several clutches, in the nesting area. When the mother is away from the eggs, carefully remove them. Do not tip or tilt the eggs, and move them into the incubator, which should be at the appropriate temperature for your species of turtle.
7. Inspect the Eggs
Check the eggs every week for the first 2 months and then every couple of days. Do not lift or tilt the eggs but check the substrate around the eggs is moist but not moldy. You do not need to help the hatchlings break out, they will use a tooth to break through the egg and emerge.
Conclusion
Check local and national laws before breeding Turtles and, if you do intend to breed them, do be sure that they will have homes or that you have the enclosure space and time to keep the young Turtles. The process doesn’t have to be complicated but it will be more likely to be successful if you ensure the good condition of the parent Turtles before you start and if you have an incubator to keep the eggs at the right temperature.
See Also:
- How to Tell the Sex (Gender) of a Turtle: A Comprehensive Vet-Reviewed Guide
- How Fast Can a Turtle Run? Types & Factors (With Comparison Chart)
Featured Image Credit: seasoning_17, Shutterstock
