What do u do if ur turtles(RES) might lay eggs n u only have rocks in their tank?

Question

well,ive had my turtles for about 1 yr their birthday is on july 20.but there big! they r about 5 inches.i think they might mate.ive been seeing signs(like going on top of each other n flitching)but im wondering how r they going to lay there eggs if i only got big rocks in there.my mom was thinking about putting the little tank in there n putting it in there tank their in now.the first one i bought them in when they were babies.n she thought we could fill it up with like a sand type of thing n puting it in there so she can climb on the rock n them go on the small tank with soil/sand or sumthing.so i dont no what to do?can anyone please help me?

Answer 1

No worries there (at least for now) because RES do not mature until they are at least 5 years of age.  Little 5 inch RES are still just babies.

If you think 5 inches is BIG...wait until they are fully grown and are the size of dinner plates!!!!   No store bought tank is going to be large enough to hold them.

I have 3 RES that are about that size now and we are currently working on building them a pond outside.  They are housed in a 50 gallon tank and by next spring, they will outgrow it.  Average about 100 gallons  of water (at least) for each RES when mature.

For now, what you are seeing in their actions is probably just play or the start of showing dominance in the tank. (yes, even turtles have a pecking order).

Rest assured,  you have a few years before any egg laying happens.

Good luck.

Answer 2

A lot of turtles bury their eggs in soil or sand and let the sun hatch them out.  Are you sure that your turtles are male and female.  You would have to have something set up for room enough for the turtles to dig and bury the eggs, and be in the sun for a certain amount of time during the day.  

I would also suggest that you get a hold of the experts in the store where you bought these turtles.  If they do not know the answers to your questions, I am sure that they can direct you in the right direction to get the answers.

Answer 3

Depending on what type of turtle it is, it will probably need to lay eggs in soil or sand. Look up your type of turtle and see what it's nesting habits are. If you bought it from a pet store, ask the store's employees.

Answer 4

get some sand or look up what they normally live in and get that